Queensland trainer Darren Russell’s assault on the Regional Qualifiers of the GRNSW + Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase moved south, but successfully continued on Thursday night, with another of his kennel, producing a star performance in the Maitland heats.
On Tuesday night, Russell’s smart sprinter Snug posted the best time of the night in winning her heat on a wet track at Lismore. She then drew the rails for the final, and will more than likely start favourite in Tuesday night’s Lismore Regional Final.
But last night at Maitland, another Russell runner, Precious Sal, was just as impressive winning her heat.
Precious Sal – the track record holder over the 400m at Maitland - took full advantage of her rails box, jumping straight to the lead, and was never threatened, clocking 24.82s, just inside her previous best at the track, a 24.86s win back in February.
Donna Campbell’s Big Black tried valiantly to run down the leader, but could only get within one and a half lengths at the post. He did however do enough to advance to next Thursday’s Regional Final at Maitland.
Another impressive visitor took out the second heat at Maitland, with Victorian speedster She’s Gifted proving she is well named.
Mustering good speed on box rise, She’s Gifted was never in danger once she led, and raced away to post a 24.96s win, a little bit off the 24.78s she ran at the track back in December last year.
She’s Gifted has now won 11 of her 21 starts, the last five in succession.
Warren Harper’s Knockout Hero battled on well to grab second, two and a quarter lengths back, and claim a berth in the final.
The incredible run of favourites in the GRNSW + Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase continued in the third heat of the night, with the well supported Flying Ella saluting.
Jumping fast and crossing to the rails soon after, Flying Ella was able to open up a big break on her rivals and held off the late, fast finish of Yeah Okay, a kennelmate of Precious Sal, which gave trainer Darren Russell yet another Regional Qualifying finalist. Flying Ella clocked 24.97s.
You would have taken short odds about Zipping Buddy and Willoughby qualifying out of the final heat at Maitland, with the pair dominating betting, but in the run you could have secured very long odds about that outcome.
Both were slowly away, both ran into trouble, but both, somehow, managed to qualify for the final, Zipping Buddy just staving off the fast finish of Willoughby to win by a neck, with a neck back to third placegetter Keno Jake in a slow time of 25.35s.
The series is becoming a bonanza for punters. Zipping Buddy was backed into favouritism, and became the 11th favourite to win a heat of the series. All four won at Bathurst, three of four won at Lismore (the other winner was the second pick Jonesy), and all four also were first home at Maitland.
Precious Sal and She’s Gifted have drawn alongside each other for the final in five and six respectively, with the other heat winners Flying Ella and Zipping Buddy drawing boxes two and three.
The box draw for next Thursday’s Regional Final at Maitland is:
1 – Big Black
2 – Flying Ella
3 – Zipping Buddy
4 – Willoughby
5 – Precious Sal
6 – She’s Gifted
7 - Knockout Hero
8 – Yeah Okay
9 – Wicked Quality
10- Opulence
