Thunderbolt Arrives At Richmond

Johnny Red (pictured) and Speeding FINE, finalists in the 2023 Grafton Thunderbolt, are back for a second crack at the world's richest short course race when they contest heats at Richmond on Wednesday night.

Johnny Red has box six in heat four while Speeding FINE will exit box two in heat three.

Last year Johnny Red was the fastest semi-final winner at Grafton when he clocked 19.89 while Speeding FINE qualified for the final with a 20.25 semi success.

Vamoose, trained by Sue Smith, won the 350m final in 19.74 and has since been retired to stud, now having pups on the ground.

Sue Smith's partner John Miles said: "In last year's final Johnny Red had box one but when the lids lifted it seemed the whole field charged across to the rails and spat him out the back.

"He went off the boil a bit earlier this year but right now is going as good as he was last year.

"We've taken Johnny Red back to Grafton for his past three starts and he has had a win, a second and a third."

"We wanted to remind him of the different starting boxes because the local dogs already have enough advantage when it comes to the semis and final.''

Trainer Hank Vanderburg said Speeding FINE has not raced for two months simply because his form dropped.

"But I gave him a trial last week and he went extra well again so that told me he was entitled to another shot at the Thunderbolt series.

"Speeding FINE is in a red hot field on Wednesday but he is perfectly drawn in box two.''

Peter Lagogiane has three exciting offspring of his former top notcher Beast Unleashed in the Thunderbolt heats on Wednesday night, headed by Sicario Beast who has box four in heat one.

Sicario Beast boasts the remarkable strike rate of 15 wins from 19 starts and Lagogiane took the dog to Grafton for a 350m "look" at the track on May 26.

Sicario Beast led throughout in a best time of the meeting 19.82 and Lagogiane said: "This series has been on my radar for three months.

"I also have Sicario Beast's litter brother Marlee Star in box eight in heat two along with Badger's Beast in box one in heat three.

"Obviously the start counts for a lot in Richmond 320m races but I would have preferred them drawn the other way around, with Marlee Star on the fence and Badger's Beast boxed wide.

"But they have good chances and while Badger's Beast's dozen starts have been up the straight at Richmond and Capalaba, he can handle a circle track.

"He trialled well around the circle last week.''

Best bet at Richmond on Wednesday should be champion stayer Palawa King, who has box two in the 622m GRNSW Middle Distance Series top grade.

Palawa King is undefeated in three Richmond 622m appearances and pulled up well after finishing third over 600m against outstanding opposition at Albion Park on May 30.

"He is getting a bit older but is still going pretty good,'' trainer Jack Smith said.

Palawa King looks to have a near-perfect draw as Wednesday's race is packed with wide runners.

None has bettered Palawa King's personal best Richmond 622m time of 35.43 and he looks poised to get the run of the race.

Best Bet Palawa King (race 7)

Best Value Zipping Clampett (race 6)

Race 5 - 2, 7, 1

Race 6 - 2, 4

Race 7 - 2, 3, 6

Race 8 - 6, 5, 2

$20 for 37.03%