Heathcote trainer Michael Chilcott embarks on a ‘fact-finding mission’ with his two staying aspirants in the G3 Destini Lodge Fireball heats (725m) at The Meadows on Saturday night.
Chilcott has My Father’s Son in Heat 1 (Race 2 at 6.57pm) and Up The Amount in Heat 2 (Race 3 at 7.20pm).
My Father’s Son (Box 4) – runner-up to Five Star in last month’s Pink Diamond Champion Distance final (660m) at Bendigo – tackles G1 Sandown Cup hero and G3 Speed Star (595m) winner Zipping Rambo (Box 7).
And Up The Amount (Box 7) – a last start Shepparton 650m winner – faces off with Listed Cup Night Stayers winner Hank The Hustler (Box 2) and G3 Speed Star (715m) winner Five Star (Box 8) who was a finalist in last week’s G1 Queensland Cup.
Both appear to have their ‘backs against the wall’ tackling the distance crème-de-la-crème! But that’s not deterring the information-gathering Chilcott.
“I’m not going to die wondering,” he said. “We’ll find out whether they’re up to this company.”
My Father’s Son, who was a Fireball finalist last year, is rated by Chilcott as his best chance. He was a last start second to the in-form Major Sacrifice at The Meadows.
WATCH: My Father’s Son (8) finishes a gallant second to first-rate stayer Five Star (7) in the Pink Diamond Champion Distance final (660m) at Bendigo on June 18.
“He’s a ‘funny’ dog… He’s a slow beginner but just keeps chasing.
“He dislocated a toe around four months ago, but since coming back just keeps getting stronger.
“The best thing for him would be to drop out early and find the rails. If everything goes his way, he’s a chance of pinching the race.
“He was actually taking ground off Five Star over the final 50 metres in the Pink Diamond final.”
Chilcott added he’s “still learning” about Up The Amount.
“She went good at Shepparton on Monday night. She can run reasonable times but will need luck.
“She’s got more pace early than My Father’s Son but isn’t as strong. She’s probably not a true ‘700m’ dog.”
Zipping Rambo is TAB’s $3 ‘All In’ favourite for the $25,000 to-the-winner series, ahead of Hank The Hustler ($3.50) and Five Star ($5), while My Father’s Son and Up The Amount are $31 and $51 respectively.
Race 2 – DESTINI LODGE FIREBALL HT1
Race 2 – DESTINI LODGE FIREBALL HT2
