THE GOTBAT division one final will be one of the best races seen on the Hobart circuit for some time with the cream of the state’s sprinters making it through.
Star Chamber and Senor Slamma were the two heat winners but the next three placegetters in each of the two heats ensured this week’s final will be a sensational event.
Star Chamber remains one of the most underrated sprinters in the state but his effort to overpower kennel mates Hello Ay Jay and Curragh was again proof of his amazing will to win.
Hello Ay Jay led from box five but he was unable to get a break on Star Chamber that kept pushing up along the rail from his inside draw.
Prescribe ($3.60) was sent out the favourite but he again missed the start from box two and settled fifth with Hello Ay Jay’s kennel mate Curragh settled fourth from box six.
Hello Ay Jay had a length to spar turning for home but Star Chamber’s persistent paid off and he edged clear right on the line with Curragh and Prescribe closing fast to ensure that made it into the final.
Senor Slamma, now in the care of Reg Dickenson, began brilliantly from box five and once he had a couple of lengths on his rivals the end result was never in doubt.
Senor Slamma bounded clear in the home straight and went on to defeat Janda by over four lengths with That Was Then and Ban’s Lane making up the first four and a place in the final.
By Peter Staples.