Front-running speedsters Tap Out Axe and Virouette produced career best performances to win at Wentworth Park on Saturday night and in doing so clinched starts in next month's Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg.
Heats of the Group 1 event, Wentworth Park's richest race, will be held on April 1, culminating in the $250,000 to the winner final a fortnight later.
While Tap Out Axe and Virouette had won 13 Wentworth Park races between them before Saturday night, neither had broken the 30 second barrier for the 520m.
But on Saturday Tap Out Axe led throughout in 29.92sec less than an hour after Virouette had put in a characteristic all-the-way effort to win in 29.93.
"I am over the moon at how well Tap Out Axe is going,'' trainer Rod Metselaar said.
"My only race dogs at present are him, his sister Tap Out Scarlet, and another dog, Tap Out Tony, but those two are not going well and Tap Out Axe is keeping my head above water.
"Tap Out Axe had not got under 30 seconds previously at Wenty and while the track is obviously in good condition tonight for him to run fastest time of the meeting is a big thrill.''
Owner Ted Ciszewski was similarly excited with Virouette's win at her first race in a month.
"After Virouette finished fourth at Wentworth Park on February 11 her trainer Ron Lambert felt she seemed very flat,'' Ciszewski said. "So he gave her a few weeks off and freshened her up and look at the result!
"While the Golden Easter Egg might be flying a bit high with her, Virouette's early speed probably gives her a chance in just about anything.
"Even if she misses qualifying for the Egg final, there is always the consolation, the Ambrosoli, which is run on April 15 and is worth $25,000 to the winner.''
Leading Victorian trainers, husband and wife team of Jamie and Brooke Ennis, had a mixed night on Saturday, landing a win with Eddie Eagle, a second with Matt Machine, but being unplaced with Zinzan Brooke, Gaucho and Tedesco.
"Eddie Eagle's win from box eight surprised me because he goes better from inside boxes but it turned out that was not much speed drawn on his immediate inside and he was able to work his way across to the rails,'' Jamie Ennis said.
"And he had raced previously at Wentworth Park while Matt Machine and Zinzan Brooke, who we consider the fastest in our kennels, had not seen the track.
"They should be all the better for the experience because it seems dogs need a run or two at Wenty to show their best form.''
Gunnadoo Cove's strong finishing win in Saturday night's feature 720m event was a strong pointer to the John Heard-trained bitch's chances in next Saturday's heats of the Group 3 Wentworth Park Gold Cup.
Gunnadoo Cove overcame a slow start and gave noted strong finisher Fantastic Bear a start and a beating in a slick 42.26.
That time matched Gunnadoo Cove's previous personal best Wentworth Park figures while rookie stayer Bolt Like Bekim was most impressive winning a fifth grade 720m in 42.43.
Bolt Like Bekim, having only his second staying test and his first at headquarters, powered home to win by five lengths in 42.43sec, excellent time for an up-and-coming youngster who is a mere 22 months of age.
See you next week!
