Wow! Scene Set For Epic Goulburn Clash

GROUP 1 winning powerhouse Wow will clash with budding young star Bandit Ned in an absorbing contest at Goulburn this Friday.

GROUP 1 winning powerhouse Wow will clash with budding young star Bandit Ned in an absorbing contest at Goulburn this Friday.

The hugely talented duo will match motors in race seven over the 440 metres in what's undoubtedly one of the most anticipated clashes at the Goulburn venue in years.

Wow goes into the race fresh off his record breaking Nowra victory on Monday night in a gobsmacking 29.28, the performance lowering the 29.38 time-standard established by Bandit Ned just a week earlier.

Three starts back Wow continued his insatiable Goulburn form with a record breaking 24.18 romp for trainer Danielle Matic, included in his wins at the circuit last October's Listed Goulburn Cup.

GOULBURN FRIDAY FIELDS AND FORM

But to continue his mesmerising run of form the son of Fernando Bale will need to overcome star up-and-comer Bandit Ned which goes into the race as the winner at eight of his nine appearances, two of those at Group 3 level.

"It's a big ask racing Wow after just nine starts but ability wise Bandit Ned is capable of beating anything on his day," Bandit Ned's trainer Andy Lord said.

"But I would have preferred him drawn out wider because he can be risky early so from box two he might get caught in the pack. We'll just see what happens but he's definitely a chance. He always is."

While Friday's daunting assignment will be Bandit Ned's first public appearance at Goulburn, Lord revealed his hugely gifted sprinter had been well educated at the circuit.

"He did all his early education at Goulburn," Lord said.

"And he always trials around the old track record. I think Wow ran home in 14.47 the other day when he broke the record but Bandit Ned runs home in 14.35 in trials. He's super strong."

While hugely appreciative that racing has continued during the most recent Covid-19 crisis, Lord said the ongoing zoned racing measures introduced by GRNSW is casting a weight on his sizable operation.

"I've probably got 14 or 15 dogs which at these provincial meetings are all fourth grade or above," Lord said.

"While the extra prizemoney is there, if I nominate them for a meeting they'll either all be racing each other or not get a run at all.

"These are dogs that should be racing in town at city graded meetings in their fifth grade races. As I said, they are doing a sensational job with maintaining racing but if this goes on for too long we need some city graded meetings in the zone.

"Like Dapto on Saturday night."

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