Wagga Wagga was upset city last Thursday week when two Heats of the GRNSW + Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase were staged.
Myrniong Magic won at 20-1 the opening Heat, then Lace Monster saluted at 40-1 in the second. Punters went home with their tails between their legs, but as we all know they are a resilient bunch and they’ll be back tonight for the Wagga Wagga Regional Final, determined to get it right this time.
The brilliant Blue Sky Riot was a $1.40 favourite last week when, off the eight box, she could manage only third behind Myrniong Magic, but, drawn the two tonight, and with the benefit of that run, her first since injuring a hock in the Heats of the Golden Easter Egg back in March, I’m tipping we can expect a substantial improvement tonight.
Blue Sky Riot had the checks when she flew the lids and beat Up Hill Jill in a Heat of the Richmond Oaks back in early March. She’ll be fitter, faster and should also be winning.
Heat winner Myrniong Magic(pictured) was great run last week, storming late to grab tearaway leader Corleone King, and at the same time race away from Blue Sky Riot. A repeat of that would give him a great show here. He’ll be hunting across from the eight and if he can find the fence his big finish could come into play again.
Corleone King (5) looked like he had stolen it last week and if he jumps again he can figure in the placing, while the grandstand will erupt if Lace Monster (7), trained by 78-year-old local Brian Honey, gets up again.
The final is race six on the 10-race card but we can get some cash early with the best bet arriving in race two, the GRNSW Masters Stakes over 400m.
The rails runner Heza Boherna looks very hard to beat. He won three straight before being beaten but not disgraced when second to Spring Jazz at Bathurst last start. He has won in 23.00s here and looks perfectly pLaced.
While the Million Dollar Chase highlight’s the night racing, the bright spotlight during the day will be shining on Casino where four Heats of the $25,000 the winner Charcoal Inn Casino Cup will be held.
And haven’t they drawn some great clashes.
In the opening Heat, Lismore Million Dollar Chase Regional Final winner Snug goes around, but she won’t have things her own way.
Terra Torra (7) won five in a row including four here before missing a pLace last start when slightly disappointing off this same draw. I would prefer him boxed inside but he has won off wide draws and has won 11 of 19 starts at this track and distance.
Snug has drawn the eight and has one start for one win off the pink, that being at Lismore. She should get a nice cart across from Terra Torra here and will be very hard to hold out.
Rusty Memories is well drawn in the two and ran a slick 29.77s at LADBROKES GARDENS two runs back. Don’t dismiss lightly.
In the second Heat, Ticket To Paris (2) is becoming costly to follow but has plenty of ability and is drawn to hit back. Soltador has the rails and led throughout to win last start and could easily do the same again here. Amber Marie (4) went well first up from a two month break here last start and is ideally suited rising in trip.
Cry Later has been flying in easier company, winning in 29.82s at Wentworth Park four runs back, and then winning the best of the day at Grafton and Casino at his past two, the latest a 27.50s win here last week, off this same box six draw. Dangers are Quicksilver Storm (5) who can find some form and challenge here, and Loch Freddie (4) who has won three of his past four in Queensland. Also respect the two, Fab Fit, a kennelmate of Snug.
Black Top winner and Regional Million Dollar Chase finalist from Bathurst, Caitlyn Keeping will be hard to beat in the final Heat of the Cup. She was a bit disappointing when unable to lead at Bathurst on Monday, but she’s too good not to bounce back here. The danger is the two, Cosmic Bonus who has four wins and three placings and best of 27.66s over this trip.
The best bet on the Casino card arrives in race 10, the Bob and Ruth Thompson Stayers Heat over 620m, in the shape of Jonesy.
Jonesy also competed in the Lismore Million Dollar Chase series, finishing third in the final on Tuesday behind Snug. This trip is perfect for Jonesy, he is unbeaten over it here, the small field suits, and he should just be winning.
LADBROKES GARDENS hosts a 12-race card with the best bet arriving in race five, the greyhoundproductsdirect.com.au Stake over 600m.
Umatilla (3) drops sharply in class and rises in distance which are both positives. He was beaten for speed but found the line powerfully when pLaced last start over 515m and is looking for this trip now. He will be very hard to beat.
Richmond also race today, with 11 races and the best appearing in race nine, the Ladbrokes Multimaker Stakes over 400m.
The lightly-raced Swift Jodie (1) has shown good speed to win her three runs at Richmond over this trip and while they were all off wide draws the rails isn't a problem. She's again the one to beat.
