Caishen, owned in Sydney by Charlie Riccio and trained in Melbourne by former NSW mentor Anthony Azzopardi, is all the rage for tonight's $40,000 to the winner Launceston Cup.
Caishen goes into the event as fastest qualifier after winning his 515m heat in 29.41, which compared well with the 29.09s track record set by the great Xylia Allen when she won the corresponding event seven years ago.
Owner Charlie Riccio flew to Tasmania to watch Caishen in action last week and will be trackside again for tonight's race at 9.59pm.
"His sectional times in his heat were sensational so if he reproduces that form Caishen is going to be hard to catch,'' Riccio said.
Caishen almost pulled off a major upset in the group 1 Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder final at Wentworth Park on January 24 when he set a scorching pace from box seven and led to the home bend before finishing third, beaten just over a length.
Although Caishen is a keen railer his dazzling early pace enabled him to cross to the fence from his wide draw in the Paws final so he should cope with box eight tonight.
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AZZOPARDI goes into tonight's Launceston Cup on the crest of a wave after winning Saturday night's $100,000 to the winner Temlee with Whiskey Riot and the $75,000 Zoom Top with former Sydneysider Just Terms.
Whiskey Riot, who is owned by Sydney's Sandra Camden-Bermingham, is a half brother to the same owner's Mystic Riot, winner of the inaugural Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park for trainer Peter Lagogiane.
Just Terms out-gunned the crack Victorian trained stayers Here's Tears, Blazing Cartier and True Detective in the 725m Zoom Top, overpowering her rivals in the home straight at The Meadows.
Blue Moon Rising, the Sydney trained hope for the group 1 event, looked a threat on the back straight but lost all chance when he clipped another's dogs heels.
Just Terms was with Jodie Lord, last year's Wentworth Park Premiership winning trainer, until being transferred to Azzopardi to tackle the Zoom Top and forthcoming Melbourne long-distance events.
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Solar Sky ran her last race when she finished third to Dylan's Magic in fast time over 535m at Richmond on Friday.
The litter sister and kennelmate of the mighty Feral Franky has scored 14 wins and 25 placings from 50 starts.
Trainer Jack Smith said: "Puppies produced by Feral Franky's sisters are proving very popular sales-wise so Solar Sky's owners are naturally very keen to bred from her.
"They have purChased a Fernando Bale straw so now all they have to do is wait for Solar Sky to come in season.''
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Oh Mickey, who led throughout to win the group 1 Ladbrokes National Derby at Wentworth Park on January 24 for Wyee trainer Troy Donaldson, has returned to Queensland with his owner Clint Kratzmann.
Oh Mickey (pictured) had been trained in Queensland by Kratzmann until winning first-up at Wentworth Park for Donaldson on January 8 and then being runner-up to Here Comes Joe in a Derby heat on January 17.
"Clint sent Oh Mickey to me for a Derby campaign and the plan was always for the dog to go back to Queensland after the series,'' trainer Donaldson said.
Donaldson was also represented in the National Derby final by My Mate Clarrie, who had won his heat in a smart 29.96.
Before and even after the Derby final, Donaldson said he had considered My Mate Clarrie his better chance but after being third at the first turn the dog found trouble and was unplaced.
"My Mate Clarrie got knocked around a bit in the Derby but will be back in action in a couple of weeks,'' owner John Clout said.
