Zipping Cosmo and Kooringa Lucy, who staged a neck-and-neck struggle for most of the group 2 Queensland Futurity final at Albion Park on December 12, will contest heats of the Ladbrokes Richmond Oaks on Friday night.
Zipping Cosmo, trained in Queensland by former baker Barry Kitchener, has box four in heat four while Kooringa Lucy, from Mitch Northfield's Northern Rivers NSW kennels, has box five in heat one.
In Brisbane Kooringa Lucy looked set for victory when she hit the front on the back straight but Zipping Cosmo, who was just a neck away at that stage, got up to win by a half-length after being a close second turning for home.
Kitchener credits crack Queensland trainer Tony Brett for much of his success as a trainer, as he worked at Brett's Grandchester operation in 2005 before applying for his own trainer's licence.
"The big thing I learned from Tony was the importance of a sound routine and diet for the dogs,'' Kitchener says.
Zipping Cosmo does not possess brilliant early speed but goes into the Richmond series with an impressive record as she won the Young Guns at Albion Park and was runner-up in the Ipswich Futurity.
Kooringa Lucy's trainer Mitch Northfield is chasing his second Richmond Oaks as he took out the 2016 final with Mitcharlie Mia.
Northfield's current star is equally talented and since being desperately unlucky when fifth to Zipping Veyron in the group 1 National Futurity at WP on January 24, Kooringa Lucy has been unbeaten in four starts at Lismore and Casino.
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MOST interesting runner in Friday night's Ladbrokes Richmond Derby heats is Good Juan, who will exit box one in heat three.
Good Juan, who staged a remarkable last-to-first performance to win in a handy 30.77 from box one at Richmond on January 25, will be making his debut for new trainer Harry Sarkis.
Victorian-based Linda Edgerton bought Good Juan for a reported six figure sum soon after the dog's Richmond success.
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TRACEY Scruse is "weighing up her options'' for Pindari Express (pictured) after her champion sprinter became the first dog to win two Bulli Gold Cup finals.
Pindari Express ran down tearaway leader Turbo Thomas to take out the $40,000 to the winner final last Saturday, covering the 472m in 26.07sec.
"That was a bit quicker than the 26.16 he recorded in winning last year's final but in 2019 it was a wet track,'' owner-trainer Scruse said.
"The Horsham Cup would have been perfect if it had been a week or so later but the heats of that 485m race, on a track which would suit Pindari Express, are on this Friday.
"Heats of the Maitland Gold Cup on March 12 are a strong possibility although I am a bit concerned the final there is over 450m, which is 22m shorter than the Bulli race so is not quite as suitable for a strong finisher like Pindari Express.
"Everyone keeps asking me if I intend putting Pindari Express in the Golden Easter Egg heats at Wentworth Park but the first turn there worries me.
"Pindari Express would probably be fine if he drew anywhere from boxes five to eight, but if he drew two or three he could find trouble.''
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Next month's Maitland Gold Cup is shaping up to be a cracker with Turbo Thomas, who made the pace before being overhauled by Pindari Express in the Bulli final, a certain starter.
Turbo Thomas is undefeated in 10 races at Maitland with his record over the 450m Cup course comprising wins in 25.13, 25.14 and 25.18.
Trainer Jason Mackay, who won the race in 2018 in race record time of 24.88 with Aston Duke, is setting Turbo Thomas for the 2020 Maitland series.
