Paul Gardner’s Red Wraith will endeavour to turn the tables on Greg Connor’s Flying Start in the feature race at Alice Springs on Sunday.
Two weeks ago at Pioneer Park, Red Wraith was in good shape half way down the home straight and a win over 1100m in open company appeared imminent before last-placed Flying Start swooped with a full head of steam to seal victory.
The two classy sprinters will clash again this weekend over 1200m (BM76) in a five-horse field, with Gardner’s Nasty Streak and Rain’s Gift and Connor’s Luskin Hero seemingly battling it out for third place.
A five-year-old gelding by Charm Spirit, Red Wraith has made an impact at Pioneer Park since last September after arriving from Matthew Seyers’ stable at Murray Bridge with six wins and five minor placings from 14 starts.
After winning over 1000m (0-70) in June, Red Wraith headed north for the Darwin Cup Carnival and managed two thirds from three starts before leading all the way in an impressive win over 1200m (0-70) on Cup Day on August 5.
For Flying Start, Alice Springs’ Horse of the Year in 2022, his win a fortnight ago was his first in the Red Centre since April 2022 – it was his first win since Darwin Cup Day in August 2022.
The son of Flying Artie, a six-year-old gelding these days, won the NT Guineas (1600m) two years ago in Alice Springs and was clearly getting back to his best after three seconds and two thirds before coming sixth over 1200m (BM67) on July 14.
At his best, Flying Start would break the hearts of his opponents with a blistering burst of speed which had gone missing before it returned last start en route to his fourth win at Pioneer Park from 16 starts – that also includes six minor placings.
Adelaide jockey Georgie Catania, who rode a winning double at Alice Springs two weeks ago, retains the ride on Flying Start (59kg), while local apprentice Lek Maloney – who can claim 2kg – is once again booked aboard Red Wraith (56kg).
Flying Start ($2.70) spotted Red Wraith ($1.80 fav) two kilos when last they met, so if Gardner’s galloper brings his best to the table on Sunday he is more than capable of squaring the ledger.
Both horses will no doubt dominate the market at the top online bookmakers.
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