Tommy Brislane (pictured) will take another step towards gaining an invitation to contest the Group One Sportingbet Megastar at Dapto in September if he can win Saturday night’s AAA Radiator Specialists Final (520m) at Wentworth Park.
The Steve White-trained dog’s 29.51 win on July 4 was clearly fastest of the seven heats and although Tommy Brislane had box three in that all-the-way win his trainer considers him well boxed in seven in the final.
“Satchmo’s Hanky, who has box six, should help us a lot,’’ White said.
“When he won his heat from box six he veered hard left at the start and I’ve watched him previously and he always does that.
“I certainly didn’t want Satchmo’s Hanky drawn outside my dog.
“Tommy Brislane has won each of his three races from boxes seven and eight and he only needs a bit of room in the first few metres to be hard to beat.
“After this week’s Wenty race I’ll take Tommy Brislane to Dapto.
“He has trialled there but has to race on the track to have a chance of being invited to compete in the Megastar on September 12.
“I believe Tommy Brislane has the makings of a Group dog so I don’t want to race him every week.’’
Trainer Noelene Holloway is enjoying the most successful year of her career and has three live chances at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Noelene will rug up Queen Marina in the Macro Meats Stayers Stakes (720m), Queen Esther in the Petsnacks Stakes (520m) and King Sapphire in the Find Us On Facebook Stakes (520m).
Interestingly, each of Noelene’s runners is tipped to set the pace in their races.
“When Queen Marina finished second to Dusty Moonshine at Wentworth Park last week she ran her fastest 720 metre time of 42.28,’’ Noelene said.
“She is usually a good beginner and if she jumps away like she usually does I expect her to lead.
“Queen Esther looks well drawn in box four because Bessy Boo in three is a bit slow early, box five is vacant and Gradence in six is also tardy at the start.
“Queen Esther is hard to catch when she is on the bunny and although she led before finishing fifth to Zipping Willow last week I wasn’t disappointed with her run.
“When Jason Mackay’s good bitch Zipping Willow dashed up on her outside on the back straight, Senorita Selena pushed up along the rails at the same time and Queen Esther dropped back.
“I like King Sapphire drawn wide so box seven should suit him.
“He has good early speed and although he has led up when third and fourth at his past two Wentworth Park starts he is getting stronger.
“When he ran fourth last Saturday he clocked his personal best Wenty time of 30.19sec, even though he had previously won twice at the track.’’
Tommy Brislane is my standout bet for Saturday night and for value I’m going for the Peter Lagogiane-trained Iririki, who has box one in the Schweppes Stakes (520m).
Named After an island resort in Vanuatu, Iririki had won seven of 22 provincial races before a great third behind Aurora Girl and Kitchener Rum at her Wentworth Park debut last Saturday night.
Iririki exited box eight and showed good pace to be disputing the lead at the first turn.
She was crowded for room soon After and did well to be second from the catching pen until the home turn, where he was again hampered slightly.
Iririki is boxed to be first out and first home on Saturday.
Best Bet: Tommy Brislane (Race 6)
Best Value: Iririki (Race 2)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 5, 7, 1
Race 6 – 7, 1
Race 7 – 4, 3, 7
Race 8 – 1, 3
$20 for 55.55%
