SUPERIOR box manners is likely to ensure Hellyeah Bolt starts favourite to win tonight’s Easter Cup final over 461 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart.
Hellyeah Bolt, from the Anthony Bullock kennel and the Ted Medhurst-trained Star Chamber each won their Easter Cup heat but Star Chamber was again slowly away from the boxes and relied on luck to get through the field and win.
However, Hellyeah Bolt began well and that has been the case in most of his recent outings so he only needs to deliver another flying start to put himself in a winning position early in the race.
Hellyeah Bolt is an outstanding sprinter with his Tasmanian record of 46 starts for 24 wins and 13 minor placings for almost $70,000 in stakes is testament to his ability.
Star Chamber hasn’t been around as long as Hellyeah Bolt but Medhurst’s dog has been quietly going about his business notching 11 wins and a dozen minor placings from his 32 starts.
Star Chamber has drawn box two with a quick beginner, Smichols, on his inside but an ordinary beginner (get it Right) on his outside in box three.
Hellyeah Bolt won his heat from box seven last week and he will again wear the black vest.
Smichols should lead from box one and if that eventuates Bit Hot Finchy and Hellyeah Bolt will be up near him challenging at the top turn with Star Chamber camped behind them relying on luck to get through the field.
It Star Chamber is close to Hellyeah Bolt at the top of the home straight he might be too strong for Bullock’s kennel star but should Hellyeah Bolt have a break turning for home he would most likely win.
The Easter Cup is race six on the 10-event card with the Easter Plate final race eight and that is an open affair.
Medhurst and Bullock each have top winning chances in this event with Medhurst’s Mandy Charm and Demi Cali both impressive heat winners while Bullock’s Mavista Falls has been in great form of late winning her past three.
The Mick Stringer-trained Reddington is a very talented sprinter but he is not well drawn in box one as he always tried to get off the track and almost hard turns right when they jump.
But he is a talented chaser and warrants plenty of respect.