James' Wheels In Motion For Ron Nestor

THERE are times that Woodleigh trainer Graham James sits back and marvels at the fact his hugely talented galloper Got Some Wheels is even back racing.

A finalist in Thursday night's Ron Nestor Memorial Final (515m) at Sandown Park, joining exciting kennelmate Damnation in the $12,000 to-the-winner feature, Got Some Wheels has overcome more than his share of hurdles over the past 12 months, his trainer full of admiration for the son of Bekim Bale.

"He's an extraordinary dog, the best I've had – gives 110% every time he goes around," declared a proud James in the lead up to Thursday night's red-hot finale.

"This time last year he fell at Warrnambool and dislocated his shoulder really bad, we lost a good six months with him which was heartbreaking. The work that went into his physio and rehab to give him a chance to return to racing you wouldn't believe – it still brings a tear to my eye to be honest."

Winner at 12 of his 21 starts – included in those wins some electrifying times including a Horsham track record – Got Some Wheels strung four scintillating provincial victories together at the back-end of 2018, leading into a tilt at the Group 1 Silver Chief at The Meadows.

"The week before the Silver Chief I gave him a post-to-post at The Meadows and they said it was the fastest trial they'd seen there in years, he'd been breaking records in trials and I couldn't believe how good he was going," added James.

"In the Silver Chief heat he had box two and fell, he didn't do a lot of damage but being his second fall I thought his confidence would be shot. To be honest after that I was almost ready to walk away from it all, I couldn't believe the bad run of luck, I took a bit of time away."

Fast forward to The Meadows last Saturday night and Got Some Wheels stepped out for just his seventh start of 2019, landing his heat of the Ron Nestor Memorial in a dazzling 29.97, his first 500 metre hit-out since last December.

WATCH: GOT SOME WHEELS' HEAT VICTORY

James then proceeded to claim the last heat of the night with recent kennel acquisition Damnation, the son of Moreira and Muza's Girl recording a slick 30.15 to extend his record to 11 wins from just 20 starts, five from seven of those with James.

"It's a hot final, it could quite easily be a group 2 or 3 race," said James.

"It will be a good test to see where my two are at – especially Got Some Wheels – in lower grades and he can be too fast for his own good and find trouble. People don't believe me but the dog hasn't had an arm trial since pre-training, he's just an out an out race dog."

With heats carried out at both Sandown Park and The Meadows last weekend, Thursday night's final, which alternates annually between the two city venues, has brought together a stellar crop of sprinters, headlined by prodigious young talent Eight Ball, a flying 29.33 Sandown heat winner for trainer Phil Smith.

Throw into the mix Group 2 Warragul Cup winner Dyna Hunter, runner-up to Eight Ball in his qualifier, and last year's Group 2 Maitland Cup hero Aston Duke, an all-the-way Sandown Park heat winner in 29.50, and it's quite understandable that James heads into the final cautiously optimistic about his prospects.

"To be honest my main focus is that they both get around safe and sound – any prizemoney would just be a bonus," added James.

"Damnation has been to Sandown and trialled but it's a big ask for him to be taking on a dog like Dyna Hunter at this stage of his career – I've got no doubt he can run the sections to match it with him – but whether he can now or not I'm not sure. But I really like him as a dog, he's got terrific speed and is getting stronger, he's going to make a really nice dog in a few months' time, he's still only young.

WATCH: DAMNATION'S SMART HEAT SUCCESS

"I've known his owner/breeder Yvonne Andrews for over 15 years now and no one deserves a good dog more than Yvonne. She spares no expense with her dogs and loves them to bits – we had some success with Muza's Girl's first litter a few years back and this Moreira litter is going great– they can all run and have a good turn of speed, they're winning a lot of races."

While James is happy with Damnation's box two draw, currently quoted an $11.00 chance, he's far less pleased with Got Some Wheels' box eight draw, installed a $4.80 third favourite behind Eight Ball ($2.90) and Dyna Hunter ($3.80).

"I'd much prefer Got Some Wheels drawn near the fence," he pointed out.

"I've seen some really top dogs fail to get across from the pink at Sandown, it's not a good draw at all. I've got no doubt ‘Wheels' one-out is the fastest dog in the race, but where he gets from box eight with so much speed inside him is the question. As I said I'd just be happy for him to get around in one piece and look ahead to next week."