In Brief
- Connected a deserved favourite from the draw.
- Buckle Up Azona avoided by bookmakers despite fastest heat win.
- Twisted Reality a special in race four.
Today’s $4,000 to-the-winner Reg & Aileen Ivory Memorial Classic (452m) looks at the mercy of classy Fernando Bale sprinter Connected.
Trained by Ted Medhurst, Connected roared into this afternoon’s final with a slick 25.50 heat victory last Tuesday, the Launceston Cup placegetters fastest time in four wins at the Devonport circuit.
And with the benefit of box one for today’s assignment, bookmakers aren’t taking any risks, installing the 13-time winner the red hot $1.50 favourite.
Setting the time standard for today’s final is the Gary Johnson-trained Buckle Up Azona, rocketing over the 452 metres last Tuesday in 25.34 to secure career win number 17.
Defeating fellow finalist I’m A Dominator by 4 ¼ lengths in his heat romp, Buckle Up Azona has drawn box seven for today’s final, directly inside remaining heat winner Fabulous Baroque, the talented chaser getting the job done as favourite to score in 26.21.
A son of Fabregas, Fabulous Baroque’s nine Devonport starts has netted four wins and as many placings.
Bookies have today’s final as a race in two, with Connected ($1.50) and Fabulous Baroque ($3.70) the only two runners under double figure odds.
The final event on today’s eight race card is the fast class over the 452 metres where a competitive betting race looms between Freya The Slayer, Sprint Gordon and Ned Isakoff.
Sprint Gordon, winner at thee of his five Devonport starts, comes into the race off a smart 29.73 Launceston win back on February 17, while Freya The Slayer has strung together two powerful wins in Hobart in recent weeks.
Rounding out the key chances is Ned Isakoff out in box eight, the Devonport Chase finalist from last year in grand form, winning two of his three most recent appearances.
The best bet on today’s program is the Blake Pursell-trained Twisted Reality in race four.
Drawn out in box eight, the hugely talented chaser should get every chance with clear running and justify his odds on $1.60 quote for punters.
Watch the heat win of Connected last week in Devonport.