Fab Five For Cole In Futurity Decider

FOUR intriguing 520m heats held at the Hatrick Raceway last Friday has brought together a competitive looking field for Friday’s running of the $46,000 New Zealand Futurity decider.

FOUR intriguing 520m heats held at the Hatrick Raceway last Friday has brought together a competitive looking field for Friday's running of the $46,000 New Zealand Futurity decider.

The Group 1 event lost a number of the early favoured contenders during what can be described as a robust round of heats.

New Zealand's leading conditioner Lisa Cole numerically dominates the final field after qualifying five finalists. Not surprisingly, given weight of numbers, she has also fared okay in the box draw.

The 30.19s quickest heat winner Bigtime Rod has been allocated the one trap to load away into. He slipped clear when entering the back straight and that transpired into a comfortable 8.75 length winning margin for him.

He also brings the field best 29.91s winning 520m time into the final. "Rod is perfectly placed in the one as he has both pace and strength," advised Brendon Cole.

Bigtime Lilah controlled the pace throughout when she delivered her bold 30.29s heat win.

She is also strong and Cole isn't concerned whatsoever about her five trap draw as he explains.

"She loves racing from the middle traps and I expect her to contest the early pace. She is also strong during the run home."

Sub Eighteen was also a pace making winner, completing his assignment in a moderate 30.57s.

"He's at his best when he's racing on the pace and he must use that tactic in the final," suggested Cole.

The heat second place getters Cheese And Chalk and Bigtime Alfie completes the Cole kennel representation.

"All five of our runners came through their heats all good and are ready to go on Friday," confirmed Cole.

Thrilling Talk was stylish when he won his heat in 30.50s. Further improvement can be expected going into the final from the recent NZ Derby runner up.

"I'm happy with his draw (three), so hopefully he'll take up a forward early position. He has come through his heat really well," advised Talk's mentor Karen Walsh.

Dave and Jean Fahey will be loading away their contender Go Glow into the eight trap after the recent New Zealand Oaks runner up gamely chased home Bigtime Rod. Dave was rather blunt about her prospects when asked. "You can forget her from out there – she will need a miracle."

And that brings us to the only Australian bred contender in Diddilee. Firstly Angela Turnwald prepared him to deliver his 3.5 length heat second to Bigtime Lilah. Secondly this fella knows how to win Group 1 events – he's has two of the elite titles this season safely tucked away in his kennel. That factor alone says respect!

"I thought it was a bit of a scratchy run by him however I believe he'll be better for his heat run after having been reacquainted with Hatrick. It doesn't really matter where he draws (six) – he's the strongest in the field so it depends on how far in front the others are early on," said the trainer's partner Paul Freeman.

Freeman also advised that the recently imported pair of talented stayers Ebby Ripper and Rippin' Sam came through their Monday afternoon Manawatu 660m assignment in great order.

"We're very happy with both of them – Angela was rapt. It has been hard to get a line on Rippin' Sam. I'm sure they'll improve immensely from that outing. It's frustrating in trying to get 700m plus races for them. The work they have been doing on the beach has been huge," he advised after Ebby Ripper led home Rippin' Sam by a neck margin in their Monday 660m clash.

 

 

 

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