Wright To Blitz Coolgardie Cup
31 August, 2017
WA Country Cups
Trainer Craig Wright believes Bollywood Blitz has had the perfect preparation and is poised for a bold showing in the Hahn Electrical Coolgardie Cup (1760m) at Kalgoorlie on Sunday.
Wright targeted the Coolgardie Cup after Bollywood Blitz won at Ascot in April and his confidence in the six-year-old has soared following his return to Kalgoorlie this season.
Wright is optimistic Bollywood Blitz is racing in peak form after the son of Natural Blitz produced strong wins with big weights at his two runs back this campaign.
Bollywood Blitz won first-up with 61.5kg and carried 61kg when he sprinted home to defeat Casino Belle by a half-length at his previous start on August 20.
“He is as well as I can get him,” Wright said.
“His lead up has gone very well and been faultless.
“It’s his third run in and you can’t fault his form.
“His work during the week has been very pleasing.
“I’m going in confident he will give a bold showing.”
Chris Parnham will ride Bollywood Blitz at 56.5kg in the Coolgardie Cup. He picked up the mount after William Pike opted for Falcon Crest.
The Musket gelding, a member of Grant and Alana Williams’ team, won brilliantly first-up but had his colours lowered last-start when eighth to Properantes.
The six-year-old is the TAB’s $4.40 favourite to give the Williams stable their second straight Coolgardie Cup after I’m Feeling Lucky won last year.
Co trainer Todd Harvey admits Wayside was dealt a blow after coming up with the extreme outside gate in the field of 15 runners.
The son of Choisir, who won the Geraldton Cup (2100m)-Carnarvon Cup (2000m) double last season, is bursting to win a race after a luckless campaign.
First-up he ran third after racing wide throughout and last-start he got held up at a vital stage before storming home for second behind Properantes.
“The draw will make it tough, but he could push ahead and take a forward position if there is not a lot of speed,” Harvey said.
“But he is in with a light weight and these type of races don’t come around too often.”
Wayside, to be ridden by Shaun McGruddy, shares the second line of betting with Bollywood Blitz at $6.
McGruddy is chasing his second Coolgardie Cup success after partnering Western Blaze two years ago.
Julio Santarelli