The inaugural world’s richest $4.1 million Sportsbet Dream Chasers Festival (November 5 – December 17) is already creating visions of grandeur.
Sandown Greyhound Racing Club conducted Melbourne Cup Prelude Series I (515m) on October 13 with Amron Dan (Prelude 1 – 29.50sec), Wharfie (Prelude 2 – 29.55sec) and El Dorado (Prelude 3 – 29.68sec) securing a spot in heats of the Melbourne Cup on November 19.
And Series II, tonight at Sandown Park, is highlighted by four more enthralling preludes comprising a classy compendium of ‘Dream Chasers’.
Their goal is the sport’s ‘Holy Grail’ – the $650,000 to-the-winner Group 1 Sportsbet Melbourne Cup final on November 26.
Below are some particulars on a leading player in each prelude, along with a ‘main danger’, based on expert form analyst The Watchdog’s prognostications:
KYSAIAH (Race 4, Box 1, 7.40pm – Prelude 4) – Trainer: Carly Feltham
Won 17 from 38 – five from 11 at SP (29.33sec PB); Box 1 – 5 starts: 3-1-0
Finalist: G2 Geelong Gold Cup.
NB. Main danger – Jungle Panther (Scratched) (Runner-up: Listed Pink Diamond Rookie Sprinter; Won 7 of past 11).
SELECTIONS: KYSAIAH (B1); JUNGLE PANTHER (B7); VAYDA BALE (B3)
ZARA’S IVAN (Race 5, Box 1, 7.58pm – Prelude 5) – Trainer: Bradley Keel
Won 12 from 44 – two from seven at SP (29.36sec PB); Box 1 – 7 starts: 4-1-2
Winner: Pink Diamond Rookie Sprinter; Dual G1 finalist; Won 9 of past 10.
Main danger – Ride The Thunder (Runner-up: Listed Mick Byrne Memorial; Won 4 of 9).
NB. Baby Jaycee (B5) (Won 9 of past 10).
SELECTIONS: ZARA’S IVAN (B1); RIDE THE THUNDER (B2); NIKOLI BALE (B8)
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ZIPPY TESLA (Race 6, Box 4, 8.22pm – Prelude 6) – Trainer: Bradley Keel
Won 13 from 46 – three from six at SP (29.36sec PB); Box 4 – 7 starts: 1-3-2
Winner: G1 Silver Chief; Runner-up: G1 Adelaide Cup; Five-time G1 finalist.
Main danger – Lovaz Bale (Won 6 from 20; 29.56sec PB).
NB. Let’s Win Coin (Runner-up: G1 Sapphire Crown).
SELECTIONS: ZIPPY TESLA (B4); LOVAZ BALE (B2); LET’S WIN COIN (B1)
HE’S NO SLOUCH (Race 7, Box 2, 8.40pm – Prelude 7) – Trainer: Peter Craig
Won 12 from 38 – nil from six at SP; Box 2 – 8 starts: 2-1-4
Finalist: G1 Maturity Classic & G2 Bendigo Cup; Winner: Waterloo Cup (coursing); Litter brother of superstar Wow She’s Fast.
Main danger: Devine Empress (Winner: G3 New Sensation; Finalist: G2 Laurels Classic; Won 15 from 21, including 7 of past 8).
SELECTIONS: HE’S NO SLOUCH (B2); DEVINE EMPRESS (B8); ZIPPING LOPEZ (B6)
WATCH: ZIPPY TESLA (B5) – which was announced on Tuesday night on The Catching Pen as a G1 Topgun finalist – clocks a ‘zippy’ 29.21sec PB at Sandown Park on September 1.
