Splendamiro Set For Group 1 Glory?

THE Group 1 racing spotlight will be firmly on Albion Park this Thursday night for the final of the Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup (520m).

As has almost become normal practice with major group races north of the border, Victoria will be represented by four runners in Thursday night's blockbuster final, with heat winners Hasten Slowly, Miss Splendamiro and Not Available qualifying for the $75,000 to-the-winner showpiece, along with heat runner-up Dyna Chancer.

Lining up for the locals will be 30.15 heat winner Brandi Alexander for Tom Tzouvelis, Go Lassie Go for Darren Russell and Silver Stunner for Travis Elson, while NSW will be represented by Cosmic Bonus, simply awesome winning his qualifier for trainer Evelyn Harris in a sharp 29.92.

Searching for a deserved breakthrough victory at Group 1 level is the Dave Geall-trained Miss Splendamiro, the Lara conditioner eyeing a second Group 1 success in as many weeks following My Redeemer's stirring Melbourne Cup triumph last Friday week.

Hugely impressive landing her heat in a spectacular best of night 29.77, defeating early leader Go Lassie Go by 4 ½ lengths, Miss Splendamiro has registered three wins and two seconds since landing at Geall's Lara kennels midway through October, with Thursday night's appearance set to be the daughter of Barcia Bale's sixth at group race level.

Set to exit box two, the same draw she negotiated for her outstanding heat success, Bet365 has installed Miss Splendamiro a pronounced $2.30 favourite for the Brisbane Cup decider, ahead of Hasten Slowly and Not Available, sharing the second line of betting at $4.60.

Cosmic Bonus – winner of the inaugural Ladbrokes Masters Meteor at Wentworth Park in October – has been quoted a $7.00 chance from box four, while Dyna Chancer, an eye-catching second in his heat, is a $12.00 chance after drawing horribly in box eight.

Whatever the outcome of Thursday night's final it will be the winners first at Group 1 level, on the proviso second reserve Blue Sky Riot doesn't gain a start and claim victory, having won the National Futurity at Wentworth Park in February.

Looking to shake the group 1 hoodoo is Angela Langton's Hasten Slowly, runner-up at Group 1 level on a remarkable four occasions, including a second to Jury in the Winter Carnival Cup at Albion Park in July.

Winner of the Group 3 Flying Amy Classic at Albion Park in June, Hasten Slowly's other seconds at the highest level include terrific efforts in the Australian Cup behind Hecton Bale, National Sprint Championship to West On Augie and Topgun, trailing Poke The Bear.

Winner of 16 races and over $300,000 in prizemoney, the son of Fernando Bale is another galloper that deserves a Group 1 success beside his name.

Box Draw 2018 Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup (520m)

1. Brandi Alexander
2. Miss Splendamiro
3. Hasten Slowly
4. Cosmic Bonus
5. Not Available
6. Silver Stunner
7. Go Lassie Go
8. Dyna Chancer