Youngsters Playing For Keeps In APG Heats
The battle for spots in the first two-year-old Group 1 races of the season takes place at Gloucester Park tonight, with five APG Sales Classic heats (1730m) to open the 12-event card.
The first three across the line in the three colts and gelding’s heats will secure a spot in Friday week’s $100,000 final, as well as the fastest fourth placegetter.
The fillies have two heats tonight, where the first five in each heat will secure a start in their $100,000 final.
Debutant Valedictorian ($3.30) heads up the TABtouch market for the opening colts and gelding’s heat, with the formidable trainer-driver combination Justin Prentice and Gary Hall Jnr teaming up.
Hall Jnr drives the Kat Warwick-trained Juggernaut, who is a $1.60 TABtouch favourite in the second colts and gelding’s heat.
The son of Captaintreacheours has drawn barrier one for his debut and Warwick said she couldn’t be happier with the colt’s work in the lead up to his debut.
“He’s a lovely big colt,” Warwick told TABradio.
“He’s come along perfectly, and his preparation has been spot-on.
“He hasn’t been tested out of the barrier, but we have him right where he needs to be.”
Juggenaut won both of his trials ahead of his debut and Hall Jnr has given the biggest lead by electing to drive him over the Gary Hall Snr-trained Star Lavra.
Warwick and Hall Jnr will also team up with Foreclosure gelding All Is Well in the last colts and gelding’s heat, where he’s a $4.80 chance with TABtouch.
Rocket City, an impressive Gloucester Park winner earlier this month, is the $2.30 favourite.
Despite drawing outside Rocket City, Warwick said she was confident All Is Well would be in the finish.
“He’s had the perfect preparation as well,” she said.
“He doesn’t need any corrective gear.
“When they’re like that it’s handy because they’re versatile.
“You can ask for them and the will get on with the job they need to do.”
The Brett Smith-trained Jackie Daniels is the $2.80 favourite in the first heat for the fillies, while Between Two Thorns heads up the market for the second and final heat.
The Gloucester Park card gets underway at 4.20 this afternoon.
Tim Walker
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