Bandit Ned's Topgun Bid Begins At The Meadows

GROUP star Bandit Ned's Topgun campaign starts on Monday night when caretaker trainer Anthony Azzopardi trials him between races at The Meadows in preparation for Saturday night's Group 1 showpiece.

Andy Lord, whose wife Jodie prepares the son of Fernando Bale and Bombshell Bandit, said the winner at 15 of his 18 starts would come straight back to the Lord property tomorrow after the trial.

The $150,000-to-the-winner Group 1 Topgun will be run over 525m at The Meadows on Saturday night.

EXHIBITION TRIAL #2 – Bandit Ned

The recent G1 Vic Peters sends a warning to his G1 TAB Topgun rivals!

Splits: 5.15, 17.81
Overall: 29.718 pic.twitter.com/T20hDB1mIx

— Melbourne Greyhounds – The Meadows (@MelbourneGreys) November 1, 2021

“He is a dog that needs to be at home and that's why he will be back in his kennel by tomorrow,” Lord said.

He said it was more than likely Bandit Ned would go back to Azzopardi to handle for the Topgun.

“We've got a very busy week ourselves racing all week,” he said. “It works out fine that Anthony will meet one of us at the border.”

Lord said he is hoping for a draw anywhere from five or out for the Topgun.

“He's won from inside boxes, but there is no doubting he likes to stay out a bit,” he said.

Which is the hardest to beat in the Topgun?

“All of them,” said Andy. “They don't get to the Topgun without being stars.”

But Lord surprised by saying Bandit Ned would not be going back to Victoria for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup.

“The dog will need a little break after the Topgun,” Lord added.

“We are looking at the GBOTA Phoenix qualifying series instead.

“Our hopes are he can race his way into The Phoenix with a big Topgun run.

“But, if he doesn't, then he's still got a few Phoenix options left. He can be picked or can qualify through Wentworth Park.”