Victorian-trained reserves Photo Man and Amron Boy have gained runs in Saturday night’s Group 1 Sportsbet Topgun (525m) at The Meadows, following the scratching of interstate duo Good Odds Cash (NSW) and Orchestrate (Qld) on Wednesday.
Orchestrate (Box 7), trained by Tony Brett, who won the Topgun in 2005 with Black Enforcer, was a $15 chance with Sportsbet, while National Sprint champion Goods Odds Cash (Box 8), was the $31 outsider.
“Just to be in the race is exciting! To have the Topgun on his CV is a huge thing.”
“I slipped her up the straight this morning and she pulled up a bit proppy,” explained Good Odds Cash’s veteran trainer Frank Hurst.
“She’s jarred her wrist and that will probably finish her, unfortunately.
“It’s disappointing. She’d drawn Box 8, but whether you draw one or eight in these races, you need luck.”
Hurst’s disappointment was in stark contrast to an elated Gavin Clifton, who could barely contain his excitement when informed Photo Man had secured a run in one of the great races on the Australian calendar.
“Oh boy, you’ve made my day!” said Clifton, who trains Photo Man in partnership with cousin David McKenzie.
“Box seven or eight doesn’t really matter. Just to be in the race is exciting! To have the Topgun on his CV is a huge thing.
WATCH: Topgun reserves PHOTO MAN (B1) and AMRON BOY (B5) battled out a thrilling finish to the G2 Flying Amy Classic at Albion Park on June 16. Both have been elevated into the Topgun field.
“We’ve had a few enquiries about stud and we’re going to use him. He’s just a magnificent animal and he’s quick too!
“I thought he was unlucky not to be in the race originally. He’s won a G2 (Flying Amy Classic), ran third in two G1s (Adelaide Cup and Brisbane Cup), third in a G3 (Super Sprinters) and made a Million Dollar Chase Final.
“He hasn’t raced since the Adelaide Cup Final (October 7), but he’s trialling well.
“I trialled him post-to-post at Sandown yesterday (Tuesday) after the last, and last week at The Meadows he went 5.08sec and 17.82sec, which was terrific on trial day.
Click HERE for Sportsbet’s latest Topgun market
“He generally does hit the lids pretty well at The Meadows and there’s not a lot of speed in the race. I’d love him to draw the outside!”
GRV stewards confirmed that as there have been multiple scratchings, the starting boxes for the reserves will be determined randomly, following the close of scratchings on Saturday morning.
