Red Hot Mouse On National Futurity Path

THREE of NSW's hottest female sprinters are set to clash in an absorbing heat of the Ladbrokes Bitches series at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night.

THREE of New South Wales' hottest female sprinting prospects are set to clash in an absorbing heat of the Ladbrokes Bitches Only series (520m) at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night.

In a race that's expected to shed plenty of light on Saturday week's $10,000-to-the-winner finale, Vicki's Queen, unbeaten in three Wentworth Park appearances, clashes with Lithgow track record holder Nangar Gold and high flying youngster Red Hot Mouse in race nine of the night.

For Red Hot Mouse's veteran trainer Hank Vanderburg, Wednesday night's assignment is another stepping stone towards a tilt at January's Group 1 National Futurity, a race the Londonderry mentor won with Queen Muffin back in 2001.

"There's a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then but the Futurity is the aim for her definitely," Vanderburg said.

"Off her run home times over 400 metres I didn't think running the 500 would be a problem. If anything I'd like to see her find a length early now – if she does I think she's capable of becoming a really good bitch.

"She's still very young but showing a lot of ability."

Winner at four of her five career starts, Red Hot Mouse, a daughter of Fernando Bale and Mrs. Mouse, heads into Wednesday night's series off a dashing eight length Wentworth Park debut win last week in 30.06.

But while Vanderburg agrees that last week's sparkling city debut was a step in the right direction, he concedes the regally bred youngster will need to step it up a level yet again on Wednesday night.

"She's found herself in the hottest heat hasn't she!" Vanderburg said.

"I'd much rather have seen her draw the inside … I think that's where she wants to be. To win on Wednesday she'll have to lead and cross those other two good bitches.

"She'll need to come out under the lids – which she can."

Early markets see Red Hot Mouse $4 to continue on her winning way with favouritism held by the Peter Lagogiane-trained Vicki's Queen at $2.40.

Drawn box two, Vicki's Queen, a daughter of Barcia Bale and Scissor Queen, has won each of her three city assignments, two in sub-30 fashion.

Nangar Gold, winner at eight of her 14 starts for Dennis Barnes, is right in betting also at $2.60 from box four, eyeing a third straight win following explosive sprint victories at Dubbo and Richmond in recent weeks.

Wednesday night's program sees five grade 5 heats for the girls and four grade 5 heats for the boys to be run and won.

The two finals, each carrying $10,000-to-the-winner, are slated to be run at headquarters on Saturday, December 5.

 

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