Pair Confirmed For Nationals

By Stuart Turner

Sweet It Is and Buckle Up Wes have both earned places in the forthcoming Group 1 AGRA National Distance and Sprint finals.

The pair have earned wild cards to the final in WA later this month after winning their respective heats in Victoria and Tasmania.

Under race guidelines, the highest ranked Sprinter or Stayer on the AGRA rankings at the end of July that competes in a state final without winning earns an automatic invite for the National race.

Sweet It Is currently holds the mantle of the top ranked stayer at number four overall and secured her trip west after triumphing in her state heat at Sandown Park last week.

If she wins tonight's final then the wild card moves down the line, with fellow Victorian finalist Dyna Willow next in order.

Buckle Up Wes earned his automatic place after winning his Tasmanian Sprint heat last Monday night.

He won his race by more than ten lengths in a storming 29.59.

If Buckle Up Wes wins the Tasmanian final on Monday night then the wild card for the Sprint moves to the next highest ranked candidate, Flash Reality.

Tony Brett's impressive performer will start favourite from box one in Thursday night's Queensland final at Albion Park.

NSW Sprint finalist Bessy Boo could earn an automatic Nationals invite if Buckle Up Wes, Flash Reality and WA star Zelemar Fever all win their state finals.

This year's Peter Mosman Classic winner, who starts from box four in the NSW Sprint final this Saturday, is next in line for the wild card.

The AGRA National Sprint Championship (530m) and the Distance Championship (715m) take place at Cannington on Saturday, August 23.

Both races offer $75,000 to the respective winners.