Tommy's Time To Shine In Gold Bullion

WESTERN Australian superstar Tommy Shelby can take a giant stride towards securing the mantle as Australia's premier sprinter with victory in Thursday night's Group 1 Gold Bullion Final (520m) at Albion Park.

But to prevail in the $150,000-to-the-winner showpiece the reigning Group 1 Hobart Thousand winner needs to overcome some hardy opposition headed by Victorian powerhouse Shima Shine and budding young local star Sentenced.

"I've got enormous respect for the entire field led of course by Shima Shine – for me he's the fastest dog in the country," declared Tommy Shelby's trainer Steve Withers.

"The race will come down to who executes best at box rise. If Tommy Shelby begins and gives himself a chance he'll make the most of it.

"He's an elite chaser and thinker that makes the right decisions in running. There's no insecurities for me – he goes into the race in the best possible condition I can have him.

"But whatever the result he'll give 100 percent – he wouldn't know how not to."

Tommy Shelby stormed into the Gold Bullion decider with a clinical heat victory last Thursday in 29.70, a length slower than the 29.62 recorded by fastest qualifier Shima Shine.

And while Withers was on cloud nine following his star sprinter's dazzling heat display, he quickly came back to earth after drawing box six in the final, continuing what has been an exasperating run of box draws in big race finals.

"It is what it is – it's outside your control so there's no point worrying about it," Withers said.

"At this level box draws make all the difference so hopefully in time it levels out.

"The final will be Tommy Shelby's fifth look at Albion Park and while it's never going to be his favourite track I can tell he's improving with each run.

"I was pretty easy on him over Christmas and he got away from me more than I thought he would but he's at the top of his game now.

"I'd say he can run 29.60 or perhaps 29.50 – hopefully that's good enough. We'll see."

Since the middle of last year Withers has been on a travelling roadshow with Tommy Shelby, fighting endless COVID-19 restrictions to contest a spate of feature races in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.

But since arriving in Queensland Withers has adopted what could be described as a less than orthodox approach for his Group 1 assault.

"Tommy and I are staying in an Airbnb at Ipswich," Withers said.

"It's pet friendly so he's in the house with me – he even has his own room. By day he lounges around but when he gets to the track he switches into a fierce competitor."

Tab.com.au have Tommy Shelby $4 second favourite for the Gold Bullion with top billing held by Shima Shine at $2.25.

Rounding out the main chances at $4.40 is Sentenced for champion trainer Tony Brett.

The son of Jury won the Group 2 Queensland Derby in December and heads into the showpiece as the winner at eight of his 13 appearances, including six from seven at Albion Park.

Thursday night's Albion Park meeting also features the Group 1 Gold Cup Final (710m) boasting a fantastic field of stayers vying for the $75,000 first prize.