Meteor Heats Out Of This World

SOME veteran greyhounds that scrape through on the qualification age look primed to play a leading hand in the $100,000 to-the-winner Ladbrokes Masters Meteor Series (520m) which begins at Wentworth Park this Wednesday night.

With the four heats bringing together some hugely talented gallopers that are 45 months or older, four group race winners are set to line-up in the event to be staged as the sidelight to the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase Final at Wentworth Park on Saturday, October 20.

Two-time Group 1 winner Aqua Cheetah will take his place in the opening heat for trainer Frank Hurst, the mercurial son of Cosmic Rumble – an Adelaide Cup and Dapto Megastar winner – sticking to his guns when an all-the-way Richmond winner on Friday night.

Winner of 31 races during his remarkable career, Aqua Cheetah takes his place as clearly the class runner, with other notable chances last start 29.93 city winner Blabba Mouth along with the speedy Mainline Osti, who on her old best form could make a real race of it from box eight.

Whilst there is no group winners engaged in the second heat, set to dominate betting is outstanding sprinter Liberty Lee for Dennis and Betty Keene.

In dashing form, winning her past two starts at Maitland and Ladbrokes Gardens in electrifying best of night times, the 24-race winner has an outstanding record at headquarters and from box eight looks set to take plenty of beating.

The third qualifier looms as an absorbing battle, with 2017 Group 1 National Derby hero Big Daddy Bee resuming, pitted up against Group 2 Gosford Cup winner Cosmic Bonus for Evelyn Harris, both gallopers only scraping through into the series age-wise.

Resuming from a spell, Big Daddy Bee has been better known as a stayer for the majority of his career but off a short break, trainer Jack Smith is sure to have his charge in fine order for Wednesday night's assignment.

Unofficial series favourite would have to be Cosmic Bonus, the six-time group race finalist beautifully boxed out wide at a track he's won on at seven of his 24 appearances, including a sizzling 29.65 personal best.

The two group race winners are joined in a strong third heat by Elantris, Little Nangar and Tamaar Tux – the trio between them responsible for 59 race wins and $155,000 in stake earnings.

The fourth and final chance to qualify for the Meteor will see the ideally drawn Black Hole Sun start a likely favourite, the eight time Wenty winner, one of those the 2017 Group 3 The Ambrosoli – looking to return to winning form following some recent midfield finishes in town.

Dave Irwin's Cry Later looms as a major contender for qualification as well in the final heat, along with Emission Control, sitting up nicely in box one for Brian Barrington.

With a whopping $100,000 awaiting the connections of Saturday week's final, Wednesday night's heats are certain to provide some quality racing.

The first heat is race five, set to go at 8.24pm ESTD.