Sibling Rivalry On Show In Epic Speed Star Clash

WHEN Jimbo and Carter clash in Wednesday's Group 3 Speed Star match race, proud breeder and owner Ray Borda says he will not know who to cheer for.

For the record, Jimbo is Aston Rupee and Carter is Aston Fastnet and the litter brothers, by KC And All and Aston Miley, come up against other in a highly intriguing match race clash.

From the moment Aston Rupee and Aston Fastnet were educated, there has been little or nothing between them.

Their race records prove that with Rupee having won seven of 13, with Fastnet winning six of 14.

FIELDS AND FORM SANDOWN PARK WEDNESDAY

Their best winning times at Sandown are 29.25 for Aston Rupee and 29.11 for Aston Fastnet.

But, Rupee recently time trialled 28.92 and that scorching time, the second quickest ever at Sandown Park, has made him early favourite for the Speed Star (515m).

“I just knew they would draw each other,” Borda said.

“There has been absolutely nothing between them all their lives.

“At breaking in, on their second last run, Fastnet was quickest, but in their final run Rupee went faster.

“There was only ever a length between them at any time and that's continued right the way through.”

When it came time to choose a trainer for both hot youngsters, Borda admits it was as simple as pulling a name out of a hat.

Jason Thompson got Fastnet and Glenn Rounds ended up with Rupee.

Borda says “everyone love match race racing”.

“It is such an exciting spectacle,” he said. “I only hope they do not bash and crash each other.”

Borda has high hopes for both Fastnet and Rupee and one of those is that either, or both, can join Aston Dee Bee as a future stud dog.

“Gee, Aston Dee Bee is going well,” said Borda.

“And we have just broken in a litter of Aston Kimetto out of Aston Dinnigan (a litter sister to Aston Dee Bee and Aston Miley) and one of those pups could be spectacular.”

He also reports Aston Fastnet and Aston Rupee have a litter brother called Aston Gigante, the winner of one of his two race starts and in training with Anthony Azzopardi, which broke in just as fast as his brothers.

“We've had injury problems with him though,” he said.

Despite Aston Rupee and Aston Fastnet boasting near identical race records and both entering the series on the back of two comprehensive victories, TAB has opened Aston Rupee the $1.40 favourite for the match and $2.60 to run the fastest time overall.

Aston Fastnet is rated a $3 chance to defeat his brother and $4.20 in the overall market for the Group 3 feature.