Sushi Sushi returns to racing this weekend at Menangle
Rockstar to reign
On performance alone, Bolinda based pacer Western Rockstar looks a level above his adversaries in tonight’s Terang Guineas.
A Victorian two-year-old of the Year nominee last term, Chris Alford’s son of Western Terror already has a Leeton Breeders Plate success and Australian Pacing Gold second placing on his resume.
And after drawing one in tonight’s 2180-metre feature, it appears his second win this season may come at Dalvui Raceway tonight.
Marked a $3 second elect by HRV form expert Michael Polster, Western Rockstar’s biggest obstacle looks likely to come in the form of $2.10 favourite Johnny Quid.
But with Great Western colt Night Affair ($6) and last start winners Cyrus ($15) and Weallwantano ($17) also engaged it should be an outstanding race to kick off the Quad.
Sushi returns
Phenomenal four-year-old Sushi Sushi is the headline nomination for Saturday night’s Paleface Adios Stakes at Tabcorp Park, Menangle.
The second and final qualifier for this year’s Group 1 Chariots Of Fire, the Paleface Adios has brought together an outstanding group of rising start at NSW harness headquarters this weekend.
Fellow Victorians Caribbean Blaster and Royal Verdict have also nominated for the Group 3 event along with 4YO Bonanza champ The Phantom and Easter Cup winning Kiwi invader Hands Christian.
A clash of Australasia’s finest classic pacers is also on the agenda at Menangle with heat of the NSW Derby to be staged for $25,000 apiece.
Victoria Derby champion Scandalman will lamplight the local brigade with Great Northern and NZ Derby winners Ideal Scott and Fly Like An Eagle leading the Kiwi raid this weekend.
Flying fillies
Ballarat based horsewoman Emma Stewart will have three runners in the Group 1 Victoria Oaks final at Melton this Friday night.
Group 1 Gold Tiara queen Shake it Mama is the pick of the bunch but fellow heat winner Beauty Secret and emerging talent Hexham Heartbeat are also live chances in the $100,000 series decider.
Victorian two-year-old Filly of the Year La Machane will also take her place along with NSW Oaks champion Marquess De Posh and Breeders Crown heat winner Braeview Creation.
Champion local stayer Smoken Up is the biggest name nomination for the Westburn Grant FFA where he may tackle Sushi Sushi slayer Decorated Jasper and four-year-old star Mustang Mach.
The Westburn Grant FFA will be Smoken Up’s final hit-out before a hit-and-run mission on Menangle where he will line up for a fourth Len Smith Mile success on April 28.
Vicbred value
The Empire Stallions Vicbred Super Series has kicked off in sensational style for value punters with half of the six heats run so far producing massive blowout results.
Riviera Kiss began the trend, taking out heat three of the four-year-old mares’ series at $25.90 before Astronaut saluted at $63 in the first four-year-old entires’ and geldings’ qualifier on Sunday.
Kyneton gelding El Paco continued the upset theme, winning the opening three-year-old trotter’s preliminary at $36.70 yesterday afternoon with Rainbow Jay Jay at $73 running second.
The next Vicbred Super Series heat is Wednesday afternoon at Maryborough where Aussie Made Lombo will face off with Blucolla Tigerpie, Little Red Cloud and Orion Star.
