NSW superstars Ando’s Mac and Ritza Lenny have been handed tough assignments in their respective Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup (515m) heats.
Recent Group 1 Vic Peters Classic winner Ando’s Mac (pictured) is among three NSW-trained contenders who have earned direct entry into Friday night’s eight heats of the $420,000-to-the-winner series at Sandown Park.
The Jason Mackay-trained speedster, who has won 14 of his 27 starts, has drawn box eight in the first heat and will face classy Victorian trio Marley Bale (box two), Sleek Master (box six) and Allen Terminator (box seven).
Ando’s Mac finished fifth in a Melbourne Cup Prelude last week and has won twice and placed once in five previous starts from box eight.
He will also face Mitcharlie Mia (box five), who has been owned and trained by NSW Northern Rivers-based Mitch Northfield but is currently in the kennel of Victorian Anthony Azzopardi, in the same heat.
The Lismore track record holder and winner of last year’s Group 2 Richmond Oaks has won three of her last five starts but finished seventh in a Prelude last week.
Also in the same heat is brilliant Victorian and this year’s Group 2 Black Top winner Pantera Nera, who looks ideally drawn in box one.
One Samuel, who finished runner-up in a Melbourne Cup Prelude last week and is trained by NSW Central Coast mentor Noelene Holloway, has drawn box one in the third heat.
A winner of three of his last five starts, he will face multiple Group winner Aston Bolero in box four and top Queenslander Zabdon Ferrari (box six).
Ritza Lenny, who has explosive talent but is occasionally let down by poor box manners, has been handed box five in a high-calibre heat four.
He will have to overcome the brilliant Pop The CORK (box one), in-form Mepunga Tyler (box two) and likely series favourite Zambora Brockie, who jumps from box six.
The Anthony Azzopardi-trained speedster, arguably Australia’s best current sprinter, returned to form with a brilliant victory in last week’s Group 2 Shootout.
In addition to Allen Terminator, decent roughie chances for Australia’s most lucrative series look like Weekend Binge (box two, heat eight) and in-form Queenslander Tripum (box seven, heat eight).
Heat winners progress to next Friday’s final, the richest race in Australia.
The night also features four heats of the Group 2 Bold Trease for the stayers over 715m.
Miss Foxy Lee (box three, heat one), trained by Dean Swain, looks the best NSW hope.
