Trainer John Mccarthy believes Rather Dapper has the edge over litter brother Slick in Saturday’s $70,000-to-the-winner Group 3 Rosewood Community Bank Ipswich Auction Series (520m) decider at Ipswich.
Rather Dapper and Slick will line up alongside each other in boxes four and five for the decider, with both looking strong chances.
The sons of Dyna Lachlan and Pearl Za Zinger have made super starts to their respective racing careers and look exciting prospects for Mccarthy, who is based at Wivenhoe Pocket in south-east Queensland.
Rather Dapper recovered from a slow start to win his heat last week and Mccarthy said he felt he could be the best of his two chances.
“I don’t want to give too many clues but put it this way – I’ll be leading Rather Dapper out,” he said with a grin.
“I just wish the draw had been reversed, as Rather Dapper likes to get off the track. I’m concerned that if Slick doesn’t jump brilliantly he might encounter a bit of trouble from his brother.
“I think if Rather Dapper begins well, he’s capable of leading his brother – and then it’s up to him.”
Rather Dapper has won three of his five starts so far, placed in the recent Group 3 Vince Curry Memorial decider and clocked 30.49 in last week’s heats.
Slick clocked an even faster 30.14 from this same draw at Ipswich last month and with seven wins from 11 starts is already building a terrific career.
“Rather Dapper dwelt a little at the start in the semi-finals but he has shown glimpses of what he’s capable of in his last couple of starts,” Mccarthy said.
“He can improve on his semi-final time-wise, that’s for sure.
“Slick has drawn plenty of middle boxes so far and that experience may help him. I always thought Rather Dapper was the better of the two but Slick has been doing plenty to try and change my mind.
“Hopefully they’ve both got a bright future.”
Enjoy The Show looks the latest potential star for Tony Apap and seems a strong chance from box six.
The impeccably bred son of Shakey Jakey and Tina’s Show – mother of Apap’s champion greyhound Outside Pass – clocked 30.44 while defeating Slick last week.
Premier Queensland trainer Tony Brett has a strong chance with Lantana Lass, who jumps from box eight.
The daughter of Fabregas and Graduation Girl has won five of her six starts so far and showed her potential with a speedy 30.14 on debut at Albion Park in October last year.
The Tom Tzouvelis-trained Maurice Minor (box seven) is yet to miss a place in six starts so far and having clocked 30.59 two weeks ago leading Rather Dapper home looks the best value chance.
Invergarry Lady (box one), Must Be Max (box two) and Pyro Bob (box three) complete the field.
The final is race eight on the card at Ipswich with action under way at 6.25pm (NSW).
For Ipswich Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
