Bobby Axelrod Hoping To Bolt In Blue
Bobby Axelrod will step out on Thursday night at Angle Park in the second semi-final of the Brian Johnstone (G3) series, where he will most likely start a warm favourite off the back of a good heat win the week prior. From the same box last week, he was led for a long way by Finniss Whisper, but as they hit the home straight he was able to show his class and run past in 30.88. It has been a real rise from the November 20’ (My Redeemer x Izza Lektra) whelping in the last few weeks, since he won a grade 6 on Adelaide Cup night in a best of the night 30.39. Trainer Dillon Robinson will be hoping that Bobby comes out running tomorrow night and earns himself a place in the series final next week.
“Yes his time on Adelaide Cup night did surprise me as I didn’t think he was at that point his progress, we were expecting around the 30.50 mark that night.” said Robinson
“We always knew had potential as he kept improving during his education.”
“Squeeze boxes are always a worry as you have got to make sure you get a clear run. He has done okay from the draw before but their is some speed inside and further out wide.”
Top Quality has been airborne since relocating a couple of months ago to the festival state and he should start a red hot favourite on Thursday after drawing box one in the fast class race of the night. Last week he was able to show how well he is going, leading all the way in a red hot 30.28, which was clearly faster than anything else had gone on the night. His main rival tomorrow night will be the Gawler Cup winner in the form of Victa Reid, who has drawn his box in eight, but will certainly face a challenge to catch Top Quality who is expected to be highballing out in front. Trainer Ben Rawlings has been super pleased with the blue fawn dogs form.
“I think Top Quality’s forms been pretty faultless since he’s been here really, he ‘s obviously only missed in the Adelaide Cup final and then the Gawler Cup heats where he went in without a look, then the Anniversary Cup at Gawler when he had a bad map with Came And Went drawn inside him. He’s only had 18 starts so he’s just learning how to race.” said Rawlings
“He’s getting better with more consistency.”
“He’s pulled up pretty sound after every run we’ve given him so we’ve been able to back him up which is good.”
“Tomorrow he’s just drawn to lead and if he leads I think he wins. Enthusiastic and Show Me bucks have a bit of pace but I don’t think they have as much as him, especially with the draw.”
Rawlings will also have two chances in the heats of the Brian Johnstone series, with two littermates breaking a week of ordinary box draws for Rawlings, both coming up with box one.
“Agent Nine Nine took the longest to get going out of the litter, she’s had a horrid run of box draws.” said Rawlings
“She’s a bit one paced, Spring Honour burnt her off in the middle section last week and shot away, then she closed the gap late. A full field will certainly help because she can bounce out. The three and the four are the obvious dangers but it would be good if she can qualify given where she has come from.”
“Agent Nineteen is probably going to end up being the best in the litter, his runs at Gawler were very good but I don’t think he’s taken to Angle Park as well as he has at Gawler.”
“He hasn’t had a whole lot of luck at Angle Park either, he’s a young dog and they make mistakes. It’s probably the tougher Semi with a bit of pace out wide and the best dog in the series in Bobby (Axelrod).”
“I think if he steps his best then he can keep pushing to the front, if he found the front then he would be hard to run down. I think he would be a different dog on the arm at Angle Park, but whether he can hold out the two or four then I’m not sure.”
Adrien Chevalier will take a couple of the chargers to the city meeting, with newcomer Blazing Joe to line up in the time graded final, after winning his heat quite impressively last week from box one, in a handy 30.86. Owned by Jason Carrozza, the black dog had shown some ability in his Victorian runs, which he was able to transform to his first up run for Chevalier on Saturday morning. Whilst moving from box one to box seven will certainly be a challenge, he can certainly win if he is able to repeat the heat run.
“I trialled Blazing Joe the Saturday before so I was reasonably confident if he got a run Saturday that he would improve off the trial and be hard to beat, then he got box one which helped.” said Chevalier
“As we all know, boxes seven and eight are not easy to win from but in saying that, I think Blazing Joe has more improvement to come and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ran quicker time again, that’s if he can lead or land close to the arm.”
Chevalier will also be taking Jimali to the track on Thursday, with the black dog busting for a city win after some consistent form.
“I love this dog (Jimali), but gee his box manners let him down. A small five dog field helps and if he can get through the first touch untouched and balance up, then he’s right in the race.” said Chevalier
Spark Out will also step out for the first time under the care of Chevalier and whilst he has box eight to deal with, he’s a chance off the back of a couple handy trials.
“Watch for Spark Out, he trialled 30.89 Saturday morning, if he keeps his mind on the job then can go quicker again.”
Darren Camporeale will have Ricolina Babe step out for the first time in his care, when she leaves box two in the maiden of the night (Race 2). The January 21’ whelping (Fabregas x Ricolina Lass) has had three starts prior at both Sandown Park and Warragul, showing some handy ability in all over those efforts.
“I liked Hard Style Rico when he was racing and the ‘grand dam’ Bella Rico came from a very good litter. I saw her have a few starts and rang the owner to make an offer.” Camporeale said
“She has settled in well and is going okay.”
“She’s still green and learning, she will need a run or two at Angle Park but has drawn alright.”
Best Bet: Jimali (Race 3, Number 4) / Top Quality (Race 4, Number 1)
Value Bet: Victa Emma (Race 8, Number 1)