Star chaser Winsome Prince, Group 1 winner Bessy Boo and the flying pair I’m Pedro and Lithgow Panther lead the contenders for the Remedial Building Systems Richmond Derby (535m).
The $40,000-to-the-winner Group 2 series kicks off this Friday with four Heats boasting some of NSW’s best chasers.
Heat one includes dangerous My Boy Snoop and Melinda Finn’s Winsome Mission, who is returning to NSW after a fifth-placed finish in the Australian Cup Heats last Saturday night.
The one to beat here, though, looks like Bad Boy Sniper (box two), who has been in superb recent form for trainer Jason Magri.
Bad Boy Sniper ran well in the recent National Derby series and followed this up with a terrific 29.89 win at Wentworth Park last Saturday night.
He has three wins from six previous visits to Richmond and looks well drawn here.
Click here to watch Bad Boy Sniper's latest win Wentworth Park last Saturday night.
Winsome Prince (pictured) jumps from box one in the second Heat after a solid third place in his Australian Cup Heat at The Meadows.
The big danger here, though, looks like double Group winner Iva Vision (box eight).
Peter Young’s star Queenslander ran a strong 29.93 on his first outing of 2015 at Albion Park last week and has a strong record wearing the pink rug.
Last year’s Group 1 Vic Peters Classic winner Bessy Boo jumps from box four in the third Heat and faces some stiff opposition.
Jason MACKAY’s dangerous Zipping Carter goes in box three but the real wild card could be Quasi Bale in box five.
The Victorian is a quality chaser with 11 wins from 22 races and has triumphed on his last two starts – both from this box.
Heat four looks a ripper with I’m Pedro and Lithgow Panther in a strong field also containing Zipping Oscar.
Another chaser from the renowned MACKAY kennel, the latter has a formidable 12 wins from 19 starts and won on his only previous visit to Richmond.
Lithgow Panther defeated a strong field by more than 13 lengths at Richmond last Saturday night over the 535m and is bang in form.
The real danger here, though, looks like the dangerous I’m Pedro (box four).
Sydney Wales’s chaser has been running superbly in recent weeks, finishing second in the Richmond Cannonball over 400m two weeks ago before backing up with a 30.01 win at Wentworth Park last Saturday night.
I’m Pedro can be a slow starter but is usually devastating mid-race and currently looks in top condition.
The only drawback is the draw as he is yet to win in four previous starts from box four.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
