Spring Bonanza may be on unfamiliar turf but she still looks tough to stop in this Thursday’s Group 2 Country Motor Company Dapto Puppy Classic (520m) heats.
The promising sprinter will jump from box six in the seventh of eight heats of the $75,000-to-the-winner race aiming to continue her impressive racing record.
Spring Bonanza has won seven of 13 starts but has never previously raced competitively at Dapto and faces a long journey from her south-east Queensland base.
Trainer Tom Tzouvelis knows it will be tough but said his charge was capable of progressing through the series.
“She has a chance,” he said.
“She has no racing experience at Dapto and that is the biggest disadvantage, but she goes quite well.
“I think she can qualify and improve from there.”
Spring Bonanza has compiled a handy record so far racing almost exclusively at Ipswich.
She travels interstate in strong form, having won four of her last six starts – all at 520m.
The draw may look tough but the sprinter did win from box six over 520m at Ipswich last month.
Her only previous look at Dapto was a recent brief visit where she had a slip around the Illawarra track before heading home.
“Ipswich is similar track to Dapto,” Tzouvelis said. “You have got to have speed to go alright there.
“Dapto is a leader’s track (as well).
“I don’t know the track times too well there but by all accounts she ran reasonably when she was there and handled it well.”
Tzouvelis said that win or lose he was keen to see Spring Bonanza gain more racing experience.
“At this stage it’s exciting with these pups,” he said. “You hope they will improve and take that next step.
“Can she be very good? It really depends on the next ten starts.
“She has done well at Ipswich, but most of them were ‘standard’ races working her through the grades.
“If she had had another run at Dapto then I’d feel more comfortable (but) if gets through I think she is capable of running better (in the semi-finals).”
Thirty-two qualifiers from the heats will progress to next Thursday’s semi-finals, with the final a week after.
Others to watch in Thursday’s heats include Sokyo (heat two) and Rare Pearl in heat three.
Bertacious Bee (heat four) and recent Group 1 Vic Peters Classic finalist Frattini in heat eight also look strong.
For Dapto fields, form and expert tips, click here.
