While NSW's top sprinter Feral Franky was wowing them in Melbourne with his win in a Group 1 Maturity Classic heat at The Meadows last Saturday, our durable staying star Ebby Ripper was running over the top of her rivals at Ipswich.
The Michael Eberand-trained Ebby Ripper came from a distant sixth at the half-way mark to win the 732m Ipswich Grand Prix, taking her record to 29 wins from 113 starts and over $296,000 in stakes.
"It was a great result, more so because one of Ebby Ripper's owners lives in Ipswich,'' said Eberand.
"Last year Ebby Ripper finished third in this race to Jalapeno and being over the tough 732m trip, it is a real test of stamina.
"Previous winners include dyed-in-the-wool stayers like Wagtail and Obi Kenobi, so I'm chuffed that Ebby Ripper has joined such elite company.''
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Feral Franky has been installed as a $3.80 third favourite for Saturday night's Maturity Classic after his remarkable last-to-first victory in last week's heats.
The Jack Smith-trained dog, who clocked 29.98s for the 525m in his heat, has drawn ideally in box one in the final where he will be chasing his 10th successive win.
Fastest qualifier Sennachie, trained in Victoria by former Nowra trainer Steve White, recorded 29.73 and is a $3 favourite after drawing box eight.
Jebrynah, who has box three, ran 29.83 in his heat but is tipped to be heavily backed after posting quickest sectional times of 4.95 and 17.61.
Some of Australia's greatest sprinters, including Brett Lee, Barcia Bale and Fernando Bale, have won the Maturity, while Mepunga Blazer was successful last year.
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ON heat times there is nothing between Tony Atkins' trio of finalists in Friday's Red Dog Maiden Stakes at LADBROKES GARDENS but the Tamworth trainer leans towards Hari Brann because of her good early speed.
In last week's heats Hari Brann made the pace before being run down and beaten a head by the Peter Lagogiane-trained Knighthood in a slick 29.66sec.
Hari Brann's litter sister Yahna Brann won in 29.80 while their brother and kennelmate Bobby Brann took out his heat in 29.77 after colliding at the start and leading at the first turn.
The box draw for the $6700 to the winner 515m final favours Knighthood, who, has box eight, while Atkins' starters have drawn boxes three (Bobby Brann), four (Yahna Brann) and five (Hari Brann) respectively.
"Hari Brann, whose first split last week was quickest of the heats, is very fast early and while she is a bit weak at the finish, being in front is always the best place to be in a final,'' Atkins said.
"But if Yahna Brann is anywhere near the leaders at the half-way mark she will take holding off because her run home time in the heats was outstanding.
"She ran home in 12.20 while the other run home heat times were 12.47 and 12.48.
"But because of the early speed she showed in her heat, Hari Brann seems to be the one everyone wants to buy as I have fielded three offers for her this week.''
