CLASSY galloper Nitro Sambar looks poised to continue his grand recent form in the fast class event in Devonport today.
The Paul Hili-trained son of Dyna Double One has raced in Devonport on 10 occasions for five wins and four placings, boasting the slick personal best time of 25.60.
Drawn box seven for the fourth event today, the Buckle Up Wes at Stud Stake (452m), Nitro Sambar has been installed a $2.60 equal favourite by bookmakers with Devonport Cup runner-up Lecia Prayer (box six).
Back on January 7 in Devonport, today’s two combatants slugged it out over the 452 metres, with Leica Prayer defeating Nitro Sambar by 2 ½ lengths in a sizzling 25.41.
Drawn alongside each other this afternoon, it shapes up as a gripping spectacle, with the Josh Wright-trained Speedy Deneholme next in betting at $5.50 from his box three draw.
And while Nitro Sambar looks like a key chance for Hili today, the Loira trainer is also represented by the well-supported Arcadian Bandit in race eight, and outsider Nitro Eve, in race 10.
Arcadian Bandit, a son of Buckle Up Wes and Suzie’s Sister, takes his place from box five in race eight, the Surepick Stake over the 452 metres.
A length winner last week in Devonport in a smart 25.81, the March 2017 whelp has been in career-best form of late and is quoted the $4.20 second-favourite for today’s assignment behind raging hot favourite Wynburn Redson from box two.
A comfortable 26.42 Hobart winner last Thursday night, Wynburn Redson has posted a slick 25.58 for the Devonport 452 metres and if he runs up to that today will prove mighty hard to beat.
One of the better bets on today’s program looms in race three where the Anthony Bullock-trained To The Moon takes her place from box four.
A $1.70 in early betting, the daughter of Stagger has finished in the minor money at her past five appearances, with today’s event looking suitable for a deserved return to the winner’s list.