THE stage is set for what promises to be one of the best state finals of a National Sprint Championship in years.
She’s All Class made it 10 wins in succession and sizzled over the 515-metre trip in 30.08 to win her heat at The TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston on Monday night.
The Dave Crosswell-trained bitch has been the star performer these past two months with many predicting she could win the national final at The Meadows later this month.
She began well from box seven to lead at the first turn and she went on to score by 1-1/2 lengths from Tiny Tilly.
She stopped the clock at 30.08 seconds which was an outstanding effort given the gale force winds and rain that prevailed during the running of the three heats.
But her time was matched by the Butch Deverell-trained Nooee’s Lad that flew the lids from box four and gave nothing else a chance on his way to a half-length win over the fast-finishing Queen Ahmose.
Then the exciting youngster Buckle Up Wes demolished his rivals winning his heat by almost seven lengths from Buckle Up Mike.
The Ted Medhurst-trained dog began well from box seven and after a stoush with Bell Oh Moss (6) he slipped clear at the winning post the first time while Bell Oh Moss clipped heels and fell heavily.
Medhurst said Buckle Up Wes confirmed his class when he won the Tasmanian Derby and remains adamant the dog has what it takes to win the State sprint final.
But the box draw for the final has done him no favours as he will again wear the black vest.
“He won from box seven tonight but it was wet and windy and those conditions helped his cause but he will be up against it from that box in next week’s final,” Medhurst said.
However, Crosswell was very upbeat about She’s All Class’s chances from box two.
“Getting box two in the final is a real bonus, especially compared to where the other two have drawn,” Crosswell said.
“My bitch is racing at the top of her game and her box manners these days are impeccable so from box two she will be very hard to beat,” he said.
Deverell said he wasn’t overly concerned where Nooee’s Lad drew in the final.
“The box draw isn’t really a major factor wit tis dog because his box manners are impeccable,” Deverell said.
“The dog had a bit of a back problem last week but I was able to get that right and I have no doubt he can improve on what he did tonight,” he said.
Nooee’s Lad will carry the pink vest but should he began like he did in his heat then the son of Knocka Norris will be hard to beat.
His first split of five seconds was the best of the three heat winners with She’s Al Class clocking 5.03 while Buckle Up Wes’ first split was 5.04.
But where She’s All Class has he edge is her second splits.
She ran down the back in her heat in 17.67 which was at least two lengths better than the other two heat winners.
Box draw for next Monday night’s final:
1 – Enfild Fire.
2 – She’ All Class.
3 – Buckle Up Mike.
4 – Tiny Tilly.
5 – Pendle Beri.
6 – Queen Ahmose.
7 – Buckle Up Wes.
8 – Nooee’s Lad.
9 – Lashing Illusion (1st reserve).
10 – Megality (2nd reserve).