El Magnifico in supreme order ahead of Peter Mosman semi-finals
EL Magnifico looms as the best local chance to take out this year's Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic (520m) at Wentworth Park following on from his stunning 29.59 heat victory at headquarters last weekend.
Despite only beginning fairly in his qualifier, the powerhouse sprinter was able to accelerate in the run to the line, barging through along the fence around the first turn to take up the leading position.
Once out in front it was a case of times and margins, with the 35.5 kilogram heavyweight scoring by seven lengths over Zambora Idol.
Co-trainer Bruce Fletcher said he wasn't surprised to see his sprinter record such a brilliant time.
“I thought he could get down to that sort of time with a clear run,” Fletcher said, “He is a very fast dog.
“He has only raced at two tracks, Bulli and Wentworth Park, and at Bulli he has recorded the fastest times over the 472m and the 515m this year.
“Now he has also run the fastest time of the year at Wentworth Park.”
Rated the $6.50 favourite with Bet365 to win the final, El Magnifico moves into box two for his semi-final this Saturday night and will need to finish in the top two to qualify for the $75,000 to the winner showpiece.
Fletcher says he is happy with the draw and expects a good performance from his greyhound.
“The draw is good.
“The dog in box one (Dundee Fury) doesn't appear to have much early pace but he does tend to move right so we will have to beat him out.
“He (El Magnifico) does have early pace, he just has a bit of trouble with the boxes at Wentworth Park.
“Sometimes he tends to go up in the air when the lids open, but the closer he is to the rail the better he seems to come out.
“If he can find the fence he should be near the lead at the first turn and if he is then he is going to be very hard to beat.”
A winner of nine of his 17 starts to date, Fletcher says it is not unrealistic to think the son of El Grand Señor and Little Grey, which only turned two in March, is still capable of improvement.
“He has been a natural since day one.
“He broke in very easily, he only needed one trial and he didn't have many trials before he was actually racing.
“Maybe I am having myself on but I do feel there could be some improvement in him.
“Just in himself he is starting to grow up a little bit…he is starting to mature and he is learning how to race coming from behind as well as being in front.
“His last two wins at Bulli he has had to get across to the rails and come from behind.
“Both times he had to work hard and look for the runs and I don't think he would have done that six or seven starts ago.
“He could get better.”
The four semi-finals of the Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic are races five through to eight at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, with the first event set to kick off at 7:28pm.
Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic – all-in betting
El Magnifico – $6.50
Ando's Mac – $7.50
Ritza Lenny – $7.50
Unlawful Entry – $10
He's Some Love – $11
Aqua Cheetah – $11
Natahli Dedee – $13
Sausage Sizzle – $13
Zambora Beau – $15
Dyna Maddie – $17
Invictus Rapid – $17
Snakebite Bale – $21
Aeroplane Tommy – $21
Nangar Thunder – $26
Buck Forty – $26
Reefton Treasure – $34
Zipping Lilly – $34
Rippin Hayne – $38 with Bet365
Emission Control – $41
Both Sides Now – $51
Dundee Fury – $51
Kim Zarr Dashian – $67
Chaser – $81
Old Timer – $101
Vidi Vici – $101
Shimatron – $101
Dyna Irminus – $101
Zambora Idol – $101
Rockstar Troy – $151
Tap Out Scarlet – $151
Shia Song – $151
Fullstop Period – $151
Mako – $151
Runway Idole – $151
Tronnie Oldfield – $201
Dundee Calypso – $301
Fabulous Five – $301
Bulkender – $301
Max Cady – $301
Dundee Raptor – $501