A blistering trial over 618m at Richmond has Exultant poised to prevail when five outstanding middle distance prospects clash over that course in tonight's Magic Sprite At Stud Stakes.
Exultant, who has box seven, takes on Frekey (box one), Ebby Chance (two) and Midnight Treat (eight) in the strong fourth and fifth grade event.
Frekey has won three Wentworth Park 720m races, Midnight Treat has scored in a fast 42.41 over that course and Ebby Chance has won four from six over 535m at Richmond.
But Exultant, who has won four of five Richmond 535m starts, stepped up to 618m with a scintillating trial at the Londonderry track last week.
Owner Adam Crouch said: "Exultant clocked 35.60 in the trial which was terrific time for a dog having his first test over the 618m at Richmond.
"When the champion Space Star broke the 618m Richmond record, running 35.00, he came home in 19.85 yet Exultant's run home time was 19.90 seconds.
"That was especially encouraging.
"My father Andrew, who trains Exultant, and I used to prefer to see the dog drawn on the rails but he now handles outside draws capably.''
Ebby Chance led throughout to win over 600m at Gosford in a slick 35.01 on August 15 but her trainer Michael Eberand was disappointed with her subsequent third placing over 590m at Bulli on August 28.
"She did not get to the line strongly at Bulli so this Richmond race will tell the tale as to whether Ebby Chance has true middle distance potential.''
Michael Eberand is more upbeat about the chances of his dog Reichenbach in tonight's first heat of the Sires On Ice fourth and fifth grade over 535m.
"Big Daddy Bee, the National Derby winner, will be hard to beat from box two but I expect Reichenbach to run a great race from box three,'' Eberand said.
"Although Reichenbach was placed in top grade races at Wentworth Park on August 23 and 28 he is better suited at Richmond.
"Wenty is really a bit tight for him as Reichenbach, who is going really well, likes the roomier stretches of tracks like Richmond and Bulli.''
Tonight's best bet should be the Raymond Smith-trained Zagati, who has box two in race two, a 535m maiden event.
Zagati has been placed in each of two starts at Dapto from boxes six and seven but will relish the move to near the rails tonight.
When third in a semi-final of the Crownbet Maiden Classic at Dapto on August 24, Zagati was desperately unlucky.
After being last away she crossed to the rails to be sixth entering the back straight, but lost all chance at that point when she was severely checked and almost fell.
Zagati rattled home to finish a distant third and at Richmond she meets far weaker opposition from a much better draw.
My Little Mate, resuming from a spell, should take her Richmond 400m record to four wins from six appearances by leading throughout in race eight, a 400m fifth grade.
Jeff Collerson's picks
Best Bet: Zagati (Race 2)
Best Value: Reichenbach (Race 6)
Quaddie
Race 5 - 5, 3, 2
Race 6 - 3, 2
Race 7 - 4, 1, 2
Race 8 - 1, 6, 7
$20 for 37.03%
