Wheels In Motion For Speed Star Assault

GRAHAM James has warned punters not to dismiss his hugely talented chaser Got Some Wheels in the lead up to Sunday's Group 3 Speed Star Series (515m) at Sandown Park.

Currently $6.00 in betting to take out the main event on a huge card of racing this Sunday, Got Some Wheels takes on Sandown specialist Courting in his match-race, with James confident the son of Bekim Bale can carve out a time that will have him in the conversation for the $20,000 first prize.

"Not a lot went right for him at Horsham on Tuesday but believe it or not he's come out of that run even better than what he went into it," explained James on Friday.

"His blood was a bit off last week but I had him checked over Wednesday and he's spot on … he's as good as I can have him. I've always thought he was a 29.10 dog at Sandown, hopefully he shows that Sunday, it wouldn't surprise me what he runs."

Winner at 15 of his 29 career starts, Got Some Wheels boasts a personal best time of 29.31 at Sandown Park, a time he recorded defeating Neo Cleo in early June.

"People wouldn't believe some of the trial times this dog runs, they really wouldn't," James added of the recent 29.65 The Meadows winner.

"He can run 400m records when he's really more a 500-600 metre dog. At Sandown he's a low five dog early, runs 18.60 up the back and can get home in 10.40. He was a 29.30 dog at Sandown when he was 19 months old; I've got no doubt under the right conditions he can run 29.10."

Heading the market at $2.70 for Sunday's Speed Star is the Jason Thompson-trained Hooked On Scotch, the son of Barcia Bale a brilliant 29.09 winner at the circuit last month.

Joining him in betting is NSW powerhouse Feral Franky, second in the most recent Speed Star behind Flynn, while next in the market is two-time Group 1 Sennachie at $3.80.

That trio, along with Got Some Wheels, are near unbackable odds to take out their respective match races, meaning all the interest is in the clock come Sunday.

"I'd still say Got Some Wheels is a little underrated but that's because he hasn't got a big one to his name yet," James added.

"Every time I've got a solid bit of work into him I've had to ease off him again because of minor injuries and things. He's an unbelievable chaser this dog, he's had one arm trial in his life. He just loves to race, hopefully I get a good six months with him now fit and sound."

While James has enormous respect for his main rivals on Sunday, the Woodleigh conditioner is unwavering in his belief that the son of Bekim Bale and Paua To Ignite can raise some eyebrows on the clock.

"I'd love for him to win it … not for the money, the dog just deserves a race like this next to his name," James said.

"When we went up to Brisbane for the cup he was three hours off the plane but still trialled quicker than Sennachie, Neo Cleo and Dyna Patty. He's up to doing something special. The format suits him and he's fit and well.

"It's up to the dog now."