Incapacitated Chasing Middle Distance Riches

THURSDAY night's heats of the Sportsbet Middle Distance Championship (600m) couldn't have come at a more opportune time for the Justin King-trained Incapacitated.

Two weeks ago the hugely talented son of Sh Avatar made his middle distance debut with a thumping 35.36 victory over the 618 metres at his home track Richmond.

The stunning four-length win signalling to King loud and clear that a shot at Dapto's flagship middle distance feature was well within reach.

"This race couldn't have come around at a better time for him," said King.

"The time he ran at Richmond probably surprised me a bit. You see 100 dogs capable of running 35.60-70 there but not many get down to 35.30 odd like he did.

"He always looked like he'd turn into a real handy 600 metre dog with the way he gets home over 500 but until you stretch them out over it you never really know.

"He's progressing really nicely."

FIELDS AND FORM FOR DAPTO THURSDAY NIGHT

Incapacitated will exit box one for the first of two heats of the $25,000 to-the-winner feature at Dapto this Thursday night.

TAB has installed the 12-race winner as a firm $2.2 favourite for his Dapto debut ahead of prolific winning chaser Second Exit (box three) at $2.7 and the hugely talented Stanley Road (box 4) at $3.1.

"I trialled him at Dapto over 600 metres after the last race last week and was really happy with how he went," King offered.

"Taking a line through the times on the night I walked away happy. It was his first look at Dapto and he's a dog that needs a few looks at a track to hit his best.

"I'm sure he'll take improvement out of the run on Thursday as well.

"With just the two heats the first four go through to the final so the main thing is that he ticks that box on Thursday night."

As is the case in heat one, the second qualifier on Thursday night sees three major players with betting headed by Zipping Truvy (box two) at $2.2 ahead of Ritza Coen (box five) at $3.4 and Waging War (box one) $3.5.

And with three leading contenders in both heats on Thursday night, the following week's finale has all the ingredients to be a cracker.

"The quality is there in the heats but I thought they might have got a few more nominations," King said.

"Especially with the way the 600 metre prize money is in New South Wales now.

"This race has come up at the right time for my dog and after this we'll just take him along slowly.

"His run home times say he'll likely get further but it's a bit like the step up from 500 to 600 – until they actually do it you don't know."