The scratching of National Time from Saturday night's Group 1 Sportingbet Paws Of Thunder (520m) has opened the door for Wentworth Park track record holder Punch One Out to score an overdue Group 1 win.
National Time was scratched this morning after suffering from acidosis following his win in heat three of the Paws Of Thunder on the weekend.
Punch One Out (pictured, green rug) has been plagued by injuries since breaking the Wentworth Park track record in a semi-final of the Group 1 Macro Meats Golden Easter Egg on March 23 last year and was first-up since November 11 when she finished a gallant second to Iona Seven in heat six of the Paws Of Thunder in 29.62.
Punch One Out started from box six in her heat and after jumping well was checked around the first turn when Iona Seven (pictured) crossed to the lead from box seven.
If there are no further scratchings in the Paws Of Thunder Punch One Out will start from box seven with Iona Seven in six.
"If you reverse the boxes last week then I think Punch One Out would have got home comfortably," trainer Jason MACKAY said.
"Taking nothing away from the winner who is a terrific bitch and deserved the win, but if she had missed Iona Seven on the first turn she would have only lost a length but she clipped her heels and got off the track.
"She made up ground but you can't give good dogs a start like that in Group events.
"Having Iona Seven inside her at the start this week is ideal if that's the way the draw goes after final scratchings."
MACKAY said he expects further improvement from Punch One Out in the final after knowing where she was in her preparation going into last Saturday night's heats.
"She hadn't raced for eight weeks and wasn't at her top fitness-wise," he said.
"I hadn't been able to get proper trials into her in the lead up because of the amount of injuries she's had so the run was outstanding knowing what she's been through.
"It's funny you know, when I was driving home on Saturday night knowing she was first reserve I thought the perfect scenario would be if Iona Seven was drawn underneath her. And now it may work out that way.
"She pulled up really well after the heat and the run has done her the world of good so she's in with a chance, but it won't be easy as Veyron Bale went outstanding, as did Double Twist, and Buckle Up Wes and Iona Seven both have terrific speed."
