Leading Victorian trainer Jason Thompson will bring his two kennel stars, Black Opium and Deliver, to Wagga Wagga on Friday for the heats of the TAB Million Dollar Chase, but is looking at targeting Wentworth Park with flying Speed Star winner Hooked On Scotch.
The Wagga club has drawn three quality heats on Friday, with the Andrea Dailly kennel also looking for more semi-final berths through the region, having won the Bulli Regional Final on Saturday with Shima Shine, and qualified five for the Richmond Final on Friday.
Thompson confirmed on Monday that he did consider taking Hooked On Scotch to Wagga, but decided the best route would be through Wentworth Park’s qualifiers on October 5.
On a wet track at Sandown on Sunday, Hooked On Scotch clocked a stunning 29.11s to win the Speed Star, his time more than six lengths faster than the second fastest dog, Group 1 winner Sennachie.
“There was a thought about taking him to Wagga, but I thought Wagga is going to be pretty strong,” Thompson said. “The main ones for us to qualify for the series are Black Opium and Deliver because they have the experience and they are very good, so we are taking those two to Wagga.
“Hooked On Scotch is still very young and I think if he is to go in the series he’s better off having a trial (at Wentworth Park) and going to Wentworth Park (Qualifiers) because of his lack of knowledge and experience there.
“I am probably going to see if I can take both Hooked On Scotch and Spring Bridge up there to trial next Wednesday.
“We know how quick he is, that’s not an issue, but as far as any race goes, it’s not about being the quickest dog it’s about being the best race dog. When you’ve only had eight starts it makes it even harder for him as he doesn’t have that race experience.
“As I said, probably at worst I’ll take him and trial him and see how he handles the track and then go from there.”
Both Deliver and Black Opium will be racing for the first time since an eventful President’s Cup Final at Horsham on September 10. Deliver fell and Black Opium was severely checked.
“They are both good considering the trouble they got into,” Thompson said. “Particularly Deliver. He’s obviously a bit bruised but injury-wise he came through relatively unscathed, and so did she apart from lacerations on her back leg where she got dragged down.
“We decided to bring dogs to Wagga because it just suited the program and it’s a bit closer. It’s six hours with two stops from home to Wagga, where Wentworth Park is 10 or 11 hours, and that does make a difference. And also because it’s a 500m track too.”
As expected due to the closer location, Wagga has attracted a number of Victorians, notably Golden Easter Egg finalist Blue Striker.
Also headed north are the Dailly pair Reiko Ablett who was just behind the placegetters at Richmond on Friday, and Lucy’s Milo, who defeated Feral Franky in the Speed Star match-race on Sunday.
