One Hot Prospect Unearthed In Maiden Heats

HE'D been labelled the most exciting maiden prospect in years.

And at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night racing fans got their first glimpse of gifted juvenile One Hot Bandit and the Andy Lord-trained youngster didn't disappoint.

In fact, the performance in heat two of the Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden (520m) was emphatic … almost effortless, a star well and truly born.

A son of Barcia Bale and Nino De Oro, One Hot Bandit – a younger half-brother to Good Odds Cash and a close relation to Feral Franky and Good Odds Harada – is as fashionably bred as they come.

Here's the box draw for the @ladbrokescomau Magic Maiden Final!#thedogs #greyhoundracing #wentypark #GEE #LGEE @wentyparkgreys @tabcomau @sportsbetcomau @TopSport_com_au @NedsAus @BlueBetAu @PalmerbetAU pic.twitter.com/IpsFArDfaJ

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 29, 2023

But while boasting exemplary bloodlines, it's his ability on the track which was on full display on Wednesday night, storming away for a 5 ¾ length victory in a sizzling 29.68, posting a first split of 5.48 before running home in a powerhouse 11.65.

While the time was electric a keen eye could tell he's capable of more, a lot more, anything but the finished product.

Such has been the times the star prospect has been running it's been reported that Lord parted with a half share of One Hot Bandit to a set of connections for a significant six-figure sum.

And while a successful racing career awaits, with breeding like his, a stud career could be in the future if he fulfils his unbridled potential on the track.

But that's worlds away, for now anyway.

In the fifth and final heat, Zipping Rousey, a daughter of the great Feral Franky, equalled One Hot Bandit's time with a sublime 29.68 romp, throwing down the gauntlet for the final.

Team Lord are off to a cracking start with two impressive winners in the https://t.co/zcabOfIjSV Magic Maiden heats tonight at @wentyparkgreys!

One Hot Bandit made it a statement win in heat 2 clocking 29.68, while Bandit Bullet won the opener in 30.15.

We caught up with Paul… pic.twitter.com/v72vFhuTtY

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 29, 2023

Trained by John and Minnie Finn, Zipping Rousey's emphatic effort followed the 29.92 her litter-brother Zipping Remus roared away to run winning the heat prior.

Both Zipping Rousey and Zipping Remus were hugely impressive which makes Saturday week's Magic Maiden Final, which carries $25,000-to-the-winner, most engrossing.

The litter will be represented by three in the decider with Zipping Elkie qualifying with her second placed finish to One Hot Bandit.

In the opening heat it was Andy Lord to the fore again with fashionably bred Fernando Bale youngster Bandit Bullet, scoring impressively in 30.15.

The third qualifier was an all-the-way win to Kimba Neo, cracking her maiden status at her first start for new trainer Jack Lowe at start 12.