An octet of young bitches of the highest quality will grace the Albion Park circuit this Thursday night as they vie for the $40,000 winners cheque in the 2014 Group Two Bogie Leigh Futurity Final.
It is hard to remember a more even Futurity field with a unique blend of early speed and strength, meaning there is six or seven genuine chances.
Last year the event was dominated by Victorians with Purcell Bale defeating Xylia Allen. There is every chance the cash could be headed south again in 2014 with the Jeff Britton and Angela Langton team boasting three finalist.
Comments: William Elson (Trainer) – “Box one is good, she is fast out, she might not be the best dog in the race but she ran the fastest first section last week. The one alley gives her an advantage.”
Comments: ARG opinion is – Was overhauled in the fastest heat last week. Could find herself on the speed but will need luck to hold out the challengers on the last fifty metres.
Comments: Peter Ruetschi (Trainer) – “She went good last week but I think she will improve tomorrow night. Hopefully she can lead, the one is the only other one that can lead I think. The box is good for her, I like her close to the rails but three is fine because she races one or two off the fence. She is well and I expect her to go good.”
Comments: William Elson (Trainer) – “She is a great chaser, she's a real good bitch, I think she could be the better of my two but the dogs from down south are always hard to beat. If she jumps and gets away she will be real hard to beat.”
Comments: Angela Langton (Trainer) – “We will need some luck in the run, she hasn't got a lot of pace, she is a 700 metre bitch. If she can sit just behind them then she will be close enough and she is strong enough to win the race. We only took her up because she had seen the track before and we knew she would be one of the oldest bitches in the race. We are not really expecting her to win. She had a little bit of a spell and we were bringing her back and she led a couple of 500's at Cranbourne, we just thought we have nothing to lose so why not.”
Comments: Angel Langton (Co-Trainer) – “She is probably the better bitch of our lot, she is very, very strong but she tends to be a bit tardy out of the boxes, so she will need a bit of luck early.”
Comments: Angela Langton (Co-Trainer) – “She is the better beginner than the other two, if she can jump well and cut across, she is a chance of winning it I think.”
Comments: ARG Opinion is – Victorian who will be better served for last week's look at the track, could surprise if she gets the late call up.
Best Albion Park Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
NBT
30.31
5.60
5.60
There looks to be a multitude of scenarios that could unfold in this event. The likely early speed will come from Abby's Fantasy (1), You Can Talk (3) and possibly Oakvale Flyer (7). Should they get a clean break on the field they could make their own luck in front.
Expect the fastest qualifier Oakvale Destiny (6) to be motoring home along with stayer Tarks Nemesis (5). Their fate will rely on gaining some room in transit and getting a clean crack at them as they head for home.