The GRNSW + Million Dollar Chase moves as close to the city as it has been today with regional heats of the event being held at Richmond.
The club will host three heats of the Chase with their regional final set to be staged on September 28.
Tonight will also see the return to racing of the Wentworth Park circuit after it was closed for remedial trackwork. The Glebe track will enter the Million Dollar Chase series on Saturday when it plays host to five City Qualifying races.
But firstly, there are eight runners at Richmond this evening who will advance to Friday’s week final, and the first of them – on form – is likely to be Jason Magri’s ZIPPING Falcon.
ZIPPING Falcon has charged away for back to back wins at Richmond in the past two weeks, winning in 30.45s and then 30.55s both times the best recorded that day.
He has won three of four at this track and distance, and seven of his 15 career outings. While he has never come out of the white box, the inside draw does suit, and he looks very well placed to win and advance here.
While ZIPPING Captain hasn’t been at his best in Victoria recently, he has an abundance of ability and can improve here, and is unbeaten from the pink. Jamella Jet is making his debut at Richmond but has won five of his 10 starts and won at Maitland and LADBROKES GARDENS in fast time recently.
In the second heat ZIPPING Bailey (7) didn’t have a lot of luck in a heat of the Megastar at Dapto last week and is capable of much better. Just the one run here back in May and was placed. From leading kennel and expect bold showing here.
The speedy Big Daz (2) won off the red last week in 30.64s the best of the day. A repeat of that would see him going close here, while Fast Car Driving (5) and Miss Wing Wong (1) are both chances in a tough race.
The final heat of the afternoon is potentially the best of the day. Bug Butters (7) has been racing in great form over longer trips and arrives here having won in 34.22s (BON) at LADBROKES GARDENS over 600m. He has some good form over this trip and has won two from two of the track and distance including a slick 30.49s, albeit back in April last year. Has to be considered a strong chance here.
Victorian Awesome Catch (2) is having his first run at Richmond but his form down south reads well and includes a Sandown win two runs back in 34.45s (BON) over 595m. Has some fast sprint times to his credit and looks the main danger.
The six, Bimini has a great record here with six wins from 10 starts over this trip, and a best time of 30.61s, while the five ZIPPING Potter recorded smart wins at Maitland and here over 618m before striking trouble here last start. He has a 30.52s win here to his credit and is another with sounds claims in a wide open race.
The best bet on the card comes up early in race two, the Duke’s Ladbrokes Previews Stakes over 400m, in the form of My Little Mate.
My Little Mate’s record is impeccable. He has won his past eight starts, all at this track. He has won 21 of 27 here and five wins from seven starts off the red the draw he has today. He should just win.
As previously mentioned, Wentworth Park returns tonight after being closed for remedial trackwork over the past few weeks and the best on the program is in race nine, the @wpgrey On Twitter Stakes over 520m.
Ray Smith has brought Cyril Figgis to town and he looks well boxed and well placed in the seven, He and was an outstanding winner at Dubbo last start in near record time of 29.32s. He’s been placed two of two here and can break through in this suitable event.
