Scene Set For Straight Track Decider

A SCORCHING 17.59 first-look trial and a perfect box draw has Queenslander Milligan one of the hot-pots for next Saturday's National Straight Track Championship final at Richmond.

The Tony Brett-trained and Steve Williams-bred and owned Milligan went a first section of 7.00 and ran 17.59 at his first look at the Richmond track and with the inside lure.

It compared to Extra Specialism's 17.63 win over kennelmate Mr America in the NSW final on Saturday, and the 17.32 track record.

Likely race favourite, Mr America, has a career best of 17.40.

One would expect Milligan to improve on that performance.

Attention, fellow National Straight Track Championship aspirants!

Queensland rep Milligan trialled up the straight at @richmond_greys after the last race – clocking 17.59 for the 324m. #thedogs @RaceQLD @ladbrokescomau @sportsbetcomau @tabcomau @TopSport_com_au pic.twitter.com/qamPePlQOo

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) August 20, 2022

Nat Straight Track Final (box draw): 1 Extra Specialism, 2 Mr America, 3 Bogie Fury, 4 Quinlan Bale, 5 I'm Gifted Too, 6 He's On Fire, 7 Nicolson Bale, 8 Milligan.

Other trials at Richmond included I'm Gifted Too in 17.99 (7.04 first section) and He's On Fire in 17.87 (7.08).

Trainer Ryan Ayre decided against heading to Richmond for a pre-final trial instead putting his brilliant beginner up Capalaba in 19.59.

Darren Sultana prepares both NSW finalists and would not pick between the pair.

“Extra Specialism is a much improved young dog and drawn perfectly,” said Darren. “He's likely to lead out and more than likely to give Mr America a perfect sit in behind him.

“Mr America is a stronger dog at the finish.

“Both dogs have wonderful owners and let's just hope we can with it for one of them.”

Mr America had no luck in the NSW final and half way home Darren had given up on him qualifying.

“But, he rattled home once he got onto the rails,” he said. “He wasn't entitled top ever get into the final with the trouble he met.”

Jay Ferguson sent Extra Specialism north for Darren to train with no expectations.

“He took a while to come good and that happened after a few runs and then a spell,” said Darren.

“When he came back into work he has been improving all the time. He has actually gone quicker through the first section at Richmond in trials so if he reels off what I know he can, he could be very hard to beat.”

Sultana said both dogs had pulled up well after their Saturday runs.

Extra Specialism is by Jay Ferguson's Slingshot Whippa (Fernando Bale-Little Hammer) a litter brother to track star Slingshot Hammer (37 wins, $229,000).

Ferguson always wanted Slingshot Whippa, a fast winner at Sandown, The Meadows and Wentworth Park, to have a shot at a stud career.