Racegoers have been dished up a tantalizing match-up at headquarters tonight with Group 3 Christmas Gift winners Royal Turbo and Riley Tokaam locking horns against high-flying sprinter Poppa Ogg in the second event of the program.
In what looms as a terrific battle between three in-form gallopers, 2016 Christmas Gift hero Royal Turbo has been in sensational form for trainer Glen McKinley, landing Saturday night’s $15,000 to-the-winner The Collerson in all-the-way fashion, posting a nippy 30.03.
The son of Swift Fancy exits box three for tonight’s assignment where he’ll be kept honest by Jason Mackay’s 2017 Christmas Gift winner Riley Tokaam, taking his place from box four, following a fast finishing third when a heavily backed favourite at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
And whilst the group winning duo’s appearance tonight assumes much of the spotlight, sure to add even further intrigue will be the presence of Barbara Spackman’s dynamite galloper Poppa Ogg, winner of his past two city efforts in a blistering 29.79 and 29.85.
The son of Fabregas and former top NZ chaser Little Mother has drawn box two tonight, where he’ll be joined his litter-sister My Little Mate in box seven, enjoying her own successful run of form as well.
The emergence of Poppa Ogg has been something to behold during the past month, with plenty of eyes sure to be on the star galloper as he mixes it in free for all company for the first time on Wednesday night.
Trainer Phil Goodsell will be looking to keep his strong form rolling on at Wentworth Park tonight when Stilton Sox tackles the opening event of the program from box three.
Stilton Sox (Taylor’s Sky x Here’s Hayley) takes his place on the strength of last Wednesday’s 30.44 Bulli To Wentworth Park victory for Goodsell, a former farrier who shod champion thoroughbreds like Think Big and Ming Dynasty.
“I'd rate Think Big, who won the 1974 and 1975 Melbourne Cup as the best horse I put shoes on, just ahead of Ming Dynasty, the 1977 and 1980 Caulfield Cup winner,” Goodsell recalled.
"These days the only horses I shoe are a couple of riding school ponies because I am employed by the Roads & Maritime Services, formerly called the Department of Main Roads, and in the course of that work I drive 200 to 300 kilometres daily.
“But I still manage to find time to train four greyhounds as a hobby.”
Stilton Sox is raced by Narelle Bolwell, whose husband Jason owned Goodsell's most successful greyhound, Stilton Blue.
Stilton Blue won 15 races between December, 2013 and July, 2015 and gave Goodsell his previous city win in September, 2014.
“I gave Stilton Sox a really good chance last week because he was having his first look at the track when he was unplaced there November 8 – he’s heading in the right direction,” Goodsell said.
