Outstanding Field For Warragul St. Leger

BOOM NSW sprinter Pindari Express will jump from box eight in Sunday's Group 3 Warragul St Leger (460m) after tasting defeat for the first time on Tuesday night.

The son of Fabregas and Brook's Doll had his colours lowered in the last of the four heats, missing the start before making up enough ground to finish second – three and three quarter lengths behind Chief's Empire, who won impressively to score in 25.77. The Tracey Scruse-trained track multiple record holder will be looking to improve his box manners if he has a chance to defeat the crack field on Sunday, all aiming to claim the rich $25,000 first prize.

The eye-catching heat run of the night belonged to the royally bred Aston Kimetto.

The son of KC And All and Sweet It Is was a clear last out of the boxes, slowly weaving his way through the field before mowing down tearaway leader Emerald Rainbow in a best of night 25.69.

The win was the black chaser's fourth from just five starts, and will again have to win from box five in Sunday's final.

Lara trainer David Geall goes into the Group 3 St Leger final with a two-pronged attack after the speedy Emerald Rainbow and Group 1 winner My Redeemer both ran second in their respective heats.

Emerald Rainbow set a cracking pace in his heat and will be hard to hold out early after drawing box one in Sunday's final. The half brother to champion sprinter Up Hill Jill also showed extreme speed in a win at Sandown on July 26, recording an amazing 4.94 first split. His brother My Redeemer seems to be racing a touch below his best, getting to the line well after looking to struggle mid-race in 26.10.

My Bro Fabio chaser Juniper Pearl – who will start from box six in the Group 3 final – is the only female to make the black–type event, after her 26.01 heat win on Tuesday night.

GROUP 2 Warragul St Leger (460m)
1. Emerald Rainbow
2. My Redeemer
3. Black Forge
4. Chief's Empire
5. Aston Kimetto
6. Black Juniper
7. Nervous And Weird
8. Pindari Express
9. Fernando Drums
10. Breakout