South Australian cult hero Ernie Bung Arrow is on target to take out Friday night's 2014 SA Sprint Championship Final (515m) at Angle Park.
The Angle Park meeting was transferred from its usual Thursday night timeslot because of the heatwave currently being experienced in Adelaide.
Ernie Bung Arrow was first-up for five weeks when he came from box seven to win his heat in 29.78, and although Fire Tyson (29.64) and Cosmic Way (29.75) went faster trainer Ken Gill said he expects further improvement from his kennel star this week.
"I haven't really been able to do a lot with him since his win because of the heat here, but he will strip a lot fitter with that run under his belt," he said.
Gill said all trainers in South Australia are in the same situation regarding the weather.
"We are all in the same boat here. I didn't work him this morning because at that stage he was due to race on Thursday night," he said.
"And they are predicting it could get to 47 or 48 degrees on Thursday where I am so he'll go into the race fresh, but luckily he is a dog that doesn't need a lot of work."
Ernie Bung Arrow is unbeaten in two starts from box three even though Gill prefers him to be drawn out wide.
"He handles all boxes but it's just when he draws the first three boxes he takes a step to the right when he comes out," he said.
"When he's drawn wide he doesn't do that. So he will bump with the four dog at the start on Friday night but he seems to handle that alright so I expect him to lead."
Gill said he is considering taking Ernie Bung Arrow to Cannington for heats of the Group 1 Sky Racing Perth Cup on February 1 but it all depends on the timing of surgery Gill is due to have.
"At the moment I can't go anywhere with him because I am waiting to have an eye operation," he said.
"I can't see to drive which means I would either have to take someone with me or rely on someone to drive me around.
"I might send the dog to Western Australia but I'm undecided at the moment.
"I'm just hoping I can get into hospital soon so I can travel with him.
"I have had a couple of offers to send the dog interstate but you don't get a dog like him come along every day and I do enjoy training him.
"The way I see it he has another good 12 months of racing in him and I'd like to get my eye fixed and go along for the ride."
Best Best: Animate (Race 3)
Best Value: Well Quoted (Race 7)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 1, 8
Race 6 - 1, 3, 6
Race 7 - 3, 5
Race 8 - 3, 5
$20 for 83%
