Magic Earner has taken her time to come good but now looks a strong chance in tonight’s Group 2 Country Motor Company Dapto Puppy Classic (520m).
The chaser jumps from box six in tonight’s $75,000-to-the-winner race looking to continue her kennel’s strong recent form for trainers JODIE and Andy Lord.
She qualified for the decider impressively and is rapidly improving, but has not drawn favourably.
Andy Lord said Magic Earner, who has not won in three previous outings from box six but has been a consistent recent performer, was still a contender.
“I don’t think the box draw will affect her,” he said. “You have got to make your own luck in these races.
“I’m pretty optimistic (and) I couldn’t have her looking any better.”
Magic Earner is the most experienced of the finalists, with five wins and nine placings from 21 starts.
She has only missed the placings once in her last eight starts and won her semi-final in 29.77.
The Lords have enjoyed plenty of success recently, snaring another double at Wentworth Park last Saturday and Andy likes his pup’s chances here.
“She’s been a slow developer but she is starting to come good now,” he said.
“She was always set for this race provided she didn’t have injuries. She’s doing everything right and is good to work with.”
Lord said he is nominating Magic Earner for the forthcoming Goulburn and Group 2 Gosford cups.
The biggest rival to Magic Earner looks like the Steve White-trained Rare Pearl (box eight).
She has produced two excellent runs in the series so far, including a winning 29.83 run in the semi-finals.
A daughter of Bekim Bale, she won from the same box over 535m at Richmond in October and looks a strong performer from the outside.
A solid field has qualified for this year’s final, which was postponed last week due to bad weather.
Stilton LUCKY (Box 1) started as a huge outsider for series but has produced two impressive wins and looks drawn well here.
Queenslander Spring Bonanza (box three) has improved during the series and is a classy chaser on her day.
Tonight Tonight, Lunar Sky, Bertacious Bee and Magic Rama also have claims in what is an even-looking final.
Away from the Puppy Classic, Addison Road (race four) and Twist Me Over in race 10 look strong chances at Dapto.
For Dapto Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 2 Dapto Puppy Classic Box Draw: 1 Stilton LUCKY; 2. Magic Rama 3. Spring Bonanza 4. Tonight Tonight 5. Lunar Sky ; 6. Magic Earner; 7. Bertacious Bee; 8. Rare Pearl. Reserve: Magic Knight.
