Western Wonders To Set Sandown Park Alight

POWERFUL Western Australian duo Sunset Spitfire and Zack Monelli will trial at Sandown Park this Thursday in preparation for their respective assignments in the Harrison-Dawson (515m) and Sandown Cup (715m).

Sunset Spitfire will trial between races over 515m while Zack Monelli is set to kick off Speed Star trials with a bang this Sunday over 595m.

The pair will arrive in Melbourne on Monday night and be picked up by care-taker trainer Lyn Smith.

"The timing of Thursday's trial (for Sunset Spitfire) will work well being a week out from the heats of the Harrison-Dawson," said Smith.

There will be plenty of attention surrounding the trial.

In December, the son of Mepunga Blazer ran a frightening 29.52 (5.00, 17.46) in a trial at The Meadows in preparation for the Group 1 Silver Chief before pulling up injured in the heats.

On Saturday he maintained his perfect record at Cannington when defeating three-time Group 1 winner Tommy Shleby in a battle between the two local stars.

It was Tommy Shelby's first race at his home track since September last year and the son of Fernando Bale will be joining Sunset Spitfire in the Harrison-Dawson series which begins next week.

The two Western Australians are equal $8 favourites for the Harrison-Dawson with Tab.com.au currently.

Zack Monelli's hit-out on Sunday will be mainly in preparation for the Sandown Cup heats on May 20 but also to hopefully set a competitive time on the 595m Speed Star standings.