TONIGHT’S $20,000 final of the time honored Illingworth Classic over 515 metres at the TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston boasts one of the best and most even fields in years.
The four placegetters in each of last week’s two heats represent most of the best chasers in the state and the box draw has enhanced interest in the race that carries a purse of $14,000 to the winner.
New Recruit has been well favoured by the draw as from box one he should either lead or be just behind the pace
The Mick Stringer-trained son of Paddy’s Flame scored an impressive win over Decembrist in the Easter Cup final in Hobart over 461 metres before coming from behind to win his Illingworth Classic heat over the speedy Bluffy Lad that showed blistering early speed from box seven to lead by six lengths at one stage heading down the back stretch.
Bluffy Lad has drawn alongside New Recruit and should the Alison Walker-trained dog mirror last week’s effort he could win without surprising.
The Debbie Cannan-trained Emerald Lee won her heat by a narrow margin over Jethro that finished powerfully to be beaten just under a length.
Emerald Lee, winner of the LGRC Breeders Classic, is one of the state’s most talented pups with her eight wins and four minor placings from a dozen starts testament to her ability.
She has great box manners but from box three and with so much speed on her inside she will have to bring her A game to be successful tonight.
Hobart Maiden Thousand winner Zavance Man has drawn the outside box (8) and that can often spell trouble when there is so much speed in a race.
Zavance Man is not blessed with an abundance of early speed but he does finish powerfully and has often produced the best run home of the night in many of his eight wins from 11 outings.
Jethro is one of the state’s most exciting young dogs with his 12 wins and nine placings from 24 outings good enough to warrant such status.
Jethro has recorded a time of 29.56 seconds over the 515-metre trip on the Launceston track in a semi-final of the Launceston clubs Breeders Classic when starting from box five.
He had to settle for second behind Emerald Lee in the final after being only fairly away from box two but he did have Emerald Lee on his inside that night and from box six tonight he will have to avoid any interference if he is to win the race.
Bell Haven (4) has closed 29.58 on the track in winning her Breeders Classic semi-final from box one but she will need everything to go her way early to emerge triumphant.
The Len Howard-trained Just Sioux Me will carry the black vest and as he has yet to break 30 seconds on the circuit it is hard to see her making an impact at the business end of the race.
It is a similar story with the Butch Deverell-trained Beaudine that also has drawn awkwardly in box five and he too has only a best time of 30.21 from his three wins on the track.
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