2019 SA Launching Pad Final
After two excellent heats last Thursday night, tonights final of the SA Launching Pad series was a fitting finale with Alfieri for trainer Bill Wudarczyk confirming his spot in the 2019 Launching Pad series for SA at Sandown in two weeks’ time with a brilliant win.
Locally bred by Bill and owned in partnership with Kirin Corby the Fernando Bale x Rhonda Rocks speedster drew perfectly in box 1 in the local final and was able to make full use of the inside spearing through to lead on the first turn. Spring Sniper for Greg Board, Bailey Rocks also for Bill and Hail Storm for Troy Murray all pushed forward in the earlier stages while race favourite Red Rock for Kirin Corby was only moderate away and found himself in traffic. Into the back straight and Alfieri pinched a break on his rivals while Bailey Rocks moved to a clear second along the rails with Spring Sniper holding down third out wide. Off the back straight and Alfieri had extended his lead while both Bailey Rocks and Spring Sniper battled out second. Red Rock moved to the outside from a long way back and started to make good ground. Turning for home and Alfieri was in no danger going down to the finishing line to win by 2.75 lengths in a blistering 29.62 for the 515m journey. Bailey Rocks was challenged late by Red Rock but was able to hold down second with Red Rock another eye catching placing in third .5 lengths away after making up plenty of ground over the concluding stages.
It was an outstanding breeding performance by Bill which bred the trifecta in tonight’s final which he also owns in partnership with Kirin Corby.
Alfieri will now compete in the rich Launching Pad heats run at Sandown which will be run over the 515m on Thursday, 4th April with the Semi-Finals on Thursday, 11th April and the $150,000 to the winner final run on Thursday, 18th April and we wish him and connections the very best of luck on the National stage.
Alfieri now boasts the impressive record of 7 starts with 5 wins and 2 placings with career prizemoney around $9,500.