CONSISTENT sprinter Lika Whisper secured his berth in the Easter Cup final with another professional performance to win his heat over 461 metres at Tattersall’s Park in Hobart last night.
Lika Whisper showed his customary early speed to lead from box eight with Mojito and Hellyeah Stella also quick away and they crossed to the rail in unison.
But Lika Whisper had enough strength to out-muscle the other pair and found the rail.
The Brendan Pursell-trained dog sped clear and on the line he had over a length to spare over Collyn Tiger with Hellyeah Stella almost a length astern.
Decembrist flashed home from last on the turn to grab fourth and clinch a berth in the final.
Pursell said Lika Whisper has been a victim of wide draws of late with this his fourth outside alley in nine starts, although he has won three wearing the pink vest during his racing career.
“He’s drawn eight at his past three starts and that hasn’t really suited him because he is better when he has something on his outside,” Pursell said.
“He’s done a good job tonight but he still isn’t quite racing as well as he can,” he said.
Lika Whisper stopped the clock at 26.37sec which is quite a way off his best of 26.02 that he recorded in winning in late September last year.
The Ted Medhurst-trained November Digger staked his claim on the Easter Cup with a convincing win in his heat.
November Digger began brilliantly from box eight and had the lad at the 340-metre boxes and pout the end result beyond doubt when he held a four-length break turning for home.
He held that margin in the line over Lucky Norris with Ne Recruit working home well for third but over a length astern.
November Digger has been something of a quiet achiever with this his fifth win from 17 starts with al of his wins coming on the Hobart circuit.
The first four placegetters in each of the Easter Cup heats progressed to the final.