Mepunga Isla Dominates Group 2 Golden Sands

MEPUNGA Isla stole the show in Thursday night's Group 2 Golden Sands Final (600m) at Albion Park.

Victorian trainer Adam Richardson only arrived back in Queensland with his star conveyance late Thursday morning but the less than ideal preparation did nothing to stop the daughter of Cosmic Rumble, racing away with the group 2 middle distance feature from box eight.

"I can't believe it,” beamed an elated Richardson.

“After the week we've had with COVID, needing to jump through hoops to get here by 10am this morning, for her to come out and do that has made it all worth it.

"It was a tough road to qualify for the final as well, she found a bit of trouble early in her heat but she's just a mad chaser and never packs it in. She got the clean jump and rewards tonight.

"Everyone was talking about her perfect box eight record during the week, which had me a bit worried having never seen box eight at Albion Park, but she couldn't have left any better and put the race to bed at the first turn."

With 22 race wins to her name at over a fifty percent winning strike-rate, Mepunga Isla has now strung six electrifying middle distance wins together.

"There were so many occasions where she was just off the pace in big races over the 500 metres and to step her up a couple of months ago and now have a group 2 in the bag is just rewards for her," Richardson said.

"A huge thanks to Barry Smith who breeds the whole Mepunga line and owns this bitch. I've always wanted to win a group race for him, I can't wait to bring home the trophy."

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The other feature on Thursday's card was the Golden Oldies with favourite backers on top following Boscono's victory for trainer Bob Ayres.

"I didn't want to get carried away but on paper we had all the favours it looked,” Ayres said.

“But she still had to do everything right and she did, showing her strength at the finish.

"She's got a remarkable strike-rate, she wins one in every three of her races, that's 17 for her career now and she's done it from 300 to 600 metres.”

Boscono isn't done racing just yet, but the Sunshine Coast trainer has grand plans for her retirement.

"She's going to make a fantastic brood bitch, she's still got a bit of business to handle on the track, but I mentioned her record, not many are that versatile," he said.

"I haven't quite decided on who to throw her to yet, but I here a bloke called Fernando Bale is a pretty good bet."

Those on track Thursday night were treated to trials from last start Group 1 winner Tommy Shelby and NSW star Nangar Rust for Mick Hardman.

Both are eyeing a tilt at next week's Group 3 Golden Ticket series.

Tommy Shelby trialled 30.02 while Nangar Rust posted 29.91.