Stars to shine in semis
AS WAS the case last weekend, a host of the state’s top young pacers and rising stars will take centre stage at Club Menangle this evening.
Semi-finals of the New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge headlined the stellar program at the premier venue, with an assembly of two and four-year-olds earning berths in the rich Finals.
The Finals are part of a ‘Super Saturday’ at Club Menangle on October 31.
Just to recap, Disturbance, Don Hunter, Birdsong and Comeandsee were too good among the two-year-olds, with Gunna Reload and Smirkin Serene the successful four-year-old mares.
As for tonight’s meeting, it’s the three-year-olds as well as the four-year-old entires and geldings which will be in action.
Finals for this week’s contenders are also scheduled for October 31.
Widely-regarded as Australia’s most exciting young pacer Loucasso is a dominant favourite in the second semi for three-year-old colts and geldings.
Winner of his last three starts for Victorian trainer Emma Stewart last season, Loucasso has scored at his three runs for New South Wales horseman Seaton Grima.
Breaking 1:50 in each of his wins for Grima, Loucasso’s most recent triumph was in a Breeders’ Challenge heat on September 29.
To be driven by Grima, Loucasso is a $1.04 TAB Fixed Odds favourite from barrier eight, with Nocturnal considered the biggest threat at $11 from gate five.
Trained by prominent horseman Blake Fitzpatrick, Nocturnal won a series heat on October 2 before finishing second in an open-age event last weekend.
The opening semi is more open affair, with Yottie and Alert Bay vying for favouritism at $2 and $2.30 from barriers five and eight.
Prepared by respected trainer Bernie Hewitt, Yottie has been impressive winning his two starts from a break, including a series heat on October 13.
The son of Downbytheseaside won a Bathurst trial by 22 metres in 1:53.2 over 1730 metres earlier this week.
Runner-up behind Loucasso for three consecutive starts, Alert Bay made the most of the star’s absence with a Breeders’ Challenge heat victory last week.
Local star Ark Sea and Queensland raider Stripes are considerd the standouts among the fillies, with the duo $1.40 and $2 favourites in their semis.
Scoring at her two runs from a spell, Ark Sea has drawn barrier six for trainer Sam Hewitt, but slots into five with the removal of the emergency.
Stripes will continue her quest for a second rich futurity having captured the Qbred Triad Final at Albion Park on August 22.
Given a short break after the $153,000 decider, Stripes was then first-up at Club Menangle where she proved too good in a New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge qualifier September 29.
Local reinsman Cameron Hart will drive the daughter of Inter Dominion champion Tiger Tara from barrier four.
Winner of last season’s Three-Year-Old Final, Double Lou will begin his title defence from barrier eight in the second four-year-old semi.
First-up since his unplaced effort at Albion Park on July 4, Double Lou won a trial at Club Menangle on September 23 before finishing third in another 10 days ago.
The son of Sweet Lou is a $1.45 favourite, with Sinaloa considered the main danger at $3.30 from barrier five.