Spring Skipper looks a great chance of giving local trainer Greg Board his second Ladbrokes Orange Cup final win at Bathurst this afternoon.
Spring Skipper was a well beaten second in his qualifying heat, but a perfect draw in box eight makes him a winning chance for the feature event (race eight, 520m).
Board, a trainer for 45 years, won the Orange Cup in 2006 with Spring Gladiator and is “OVER the moon” that Spring Skipper has box eight in the 2017 final.
“Before the draw my daughter asked me where I wanted Spring Skipper to be and I had no hesitation in declaring box eight,” Board said.
“He was beaten three lengths by Slamming Thunder in 30.01 the fastest heat, but from the outside alley I reckon Spring Skipper can go close to breaking 30 seconds in the final.”
Spring Skipper is a true “home grown” product as Board raced both his sire, Group 1 winner Spring Gun and dam Scarlett Cath.
The Orange Cup will also see trainer Neil Staines chase his second win the event, following his win in 2011 with Country Rebel.
Staines has two finalists, winning heats last Monday with Slamming Thunder and Vince Fawn.
“Slamming Thunder is well drawn in box seven and has good early pace,” Staines said.
“But Vince Fawn, who has box five, is very strong, and if he was sitting just behind Slamming Thunder on the back straight he would probably run him down.
“This is an evenly matched field and it all depends on how the dogs jump and where they possie up at the first bend.”
Utah Miss, whose litter sister Ebby Ripper contested last night's Group 2 Ladbrokes Summer Distance Plate final at Wentworth Park, is another strong contender in the Orange Cup.
Owned by Sydney suburban trainer Joe Satti, Utah Miss was hampered in the early stages Before running down Myrniong Socks to win her heat in 30.16.
“She has drawn box six again in the final but I think she has enough early speed to be in front or sitting just behind the pace at Bathurst,” Satti said.
The Ladbrokes Orange Cup jumps at 5.49pm.
In other Bathurst Monday action, Alf's Chaser (box four) has shown good form at Gosford and looks the top pick in the Mixed grade Shakey Jakey @Stud 0-1 Wins (race nine, 520m).
Good Odds Bricky (box two) and Megalodon (box three) are classy performers at their best and can win races six and seven respectively.
For Bathurst Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
