2020 Brian Johnstone Preview
The last SA group race of the year is upon us, with the 2020 Group 3 Brian Johnstone running this Thursday night at Angle Park.
This year's race is again filled with some great young home-grown SA talent but the box draw has given us a clear-cut favourite.
Jumping from box 1, Fly For Trix will be the very short-priced favourite and rightfully so, the son of Fernando Bale and Weblec Rose is 2/2 from this draw for the very experienced and highly-respected trainer Jane McNicholl. Aiming for 7 wins in a row makes it hard to mount a case against him. I'm expecting him to be $1.30/40 pop on the fixed odds and think he will add to his already impressive resume and trophy cabinet.
Fly For Trix pictured above will likely be the short-odds favourite in the final.
For second, I'll be putting in Chief Sebon for Tony Nobes. Another talented type but can mix up his box manners up often which may stop him from threatening the favourite. However, even if he doesn't come out 100%, he has the ability to muster his top speed quickly and inject himself into the race to claim a place on the podium.
For the bronze, I'll be putting in the reserve number 9, Emerley Nera for Vadim Roz. Should be huge odds and can add a lot of value to your multiples if you choose to take them. Can be a hard customer for punters to catch, but the ability is there. Don't let his previous distance form from a while back confuse you - he can jump and I think will run a place at bolter's odds.
Finally, filling in the first four, I have the sister to the favourite Sallynoggin for Ray Fewings from box 4. Not sure where she will end up on the charge to the first turn, but she is getting stronger every start and if she can weave a passage will finish on well.
Still left off some handy one's here but again the box draw makes it hard to go against this talented favorite.
Final selections for this prestigious event: 1-3-9-4
Good luck to all runners and connections in what is a very distinguished race to win.