Golden Easter Egg Heats Released

VICTORIAN trained sprinters will be striving for a tenth consecutive Group 1 Golden Easter Egg title when the $250,000 to-the-winner series gets underway at Wentworth Park this Saturday.

VICTORIAN trained sprinters will be striving for a tenth consecutive Group 1 Golden Easter Egg title when the $250,000 to-the-winner three week series gets underway at Wentworth Park this Saturday night.

With NSW last tasting success in the state's flagship event way back in 2009, courtesy of the deeds of Rod McDonald's grand galloper Dana Beatrice, Victoria's dominance of the Easter Saturday group 1 has been nothing short of profound, highlighted more recently by the stirring  victories of arch rivals Striker Light (2017) and Up Hill Jill (2018).

Other notable Victorian-trained sprinters to claim group 1 glory on Easter Saturday include Cosmic Rumble (2010), Radley Bale (2011), Don't Knocka Him (2012), Moreira (2016) and of course the great Fernando Bale in 2015, each going on to forge successful careers at stud, led of course by champion Fernando Bale, his efforts in the breeding barn unrivaled.

And with Victoria boasting a stack of firepower this Saturday night, that stranglehold shows no signs of abating, led by sprinter of the moment Orson Allen for trainer Correy Grenfell, set to go around in heat five from box five, his strongest opposition fellow Victorian Jebrynah for Rocky Crisafi (box two).

Heading into the Golden Easter Egg off his last start Group 1 Perth Cup victory, the son of Kc And All returns to Sydney for the first time since October when contesting the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase, winning a heat of the $1 million to-the-winner series in a remarkable 29.43.

The opening Golden Easter Egg heat this Saturday night will see Group 2 Richmond Oaks winner Dam Slippery (box four) tackle 29.67 Saturday night winner Lagoon Rhett (box seven) and Anthony Azzopardi's emerging youngster Whiskey Riot (box one).

Qualifier two will see the appearance of Group 3 Christmas Gift hero Modus Operandi from box one, taking on Saturday night's flying 29.56 winner Winlock Huddy (box three) and Maitland Cup runner-up Fernando Blaster, a scorching 29.61 winner at headquarter during January's Group 1 National Derby series.

Star Victorian Poke The Bear draws his first decent alley at Wentworth Park in heat three, the son of Fernando Bale landing the prized rails alley for Seona Thompson.

In a terrific battle, the powerhouse galloper is pitted up against last year's finalist Dual Keroma (box four), sizzling last start winner Federal Lilly (box five), and Saturday night's barnstorming 29.55 victor Good Odds Buddy.

Miss Splendamiro, finalist in last year's Golden Easter Egg, will look to put a forgettable WA campaign behind her when she steps out from the rails alley in heat four, tackling Australian Cup winner Dyna Patty, sure to relish a return to Sydney in career best form.

Fellow Victorian Blue Striker is also engaged in this heat from box two, the noted middle distance galloper posting 5.42 early before finishing a narrow second to Good Odds Buddy in 29.55 at his Wenty debut on Saturday.

The sixth heat looms as one of the more intriguing of the night with Tracey Scruse's hugely talented galloper Pindari Express set to have his second Wentworth Park outing, again drawing box five, the same trap the son of Fabregas exited when fourth in a low-grade event last Wednesday.

He takes on high flying Victorian Crimson Vixen (box two) and WA chaser Campini – posting an eye-catching 29.51 in a trial on Saturday for trainer Paul Stuart.

Australian and Melbourne Cup runner-up Black Opium will start all the rage from box eight in heat seven for Seona Thompson, where an absorbing battle looms with David Pringle's Midnight Dare (box seven), the daughter of Buck Fever setting the Wentworth Park track alight in recent weeks in her shape rise to prominence.

On paper heat nine is another terrific clash, with Group 1 Paws Of Thunder winner Buck's Future taking his place for Sid Swain from box three, taking on Catch Me Curly (box 2) and Black Forge (box 8), first and second in the recent Group 2 Richmond Derby Final.

Following that Richmond event, Black Forge went on to take out the Group 2 Maitland Cup, before scoring at Warrnambool last Thursday for trainer Darren Sultana.

The son of Fabregas exits box eight, ideally boxed outside Queenslander She's A Sort for Tony Brett, regarded as one of the best beginners in training, capable of anticipating the start like you wouldn't believe.

All is in readiness for a spectacular night of racing, with some of the nation's best sprinters lining up for week one of NSW's flagship event.

 

 

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