Bundy Baz Hoping For Heat Repeat In Leigh Rogers Final
Bundy Baz Hoping For Heat Repeat In Leigh Rogers Final
Thursday night will see the running of the Leigh Rogers final for 2023, with an even field assembled for the $10,000 to the winner event.
Traditionally, a strong series with chasers often set and held back for it, there looks to be some promising types involved in this year’s edition.
Five heats were run last week, with all winners and the three fastest seconds making their way through to the final. The five heat winners were Fantastic Ada, Unholy Reign, Rico Nismo, Bundy Baz and Who Knows Gus.
The fastest of the heat winners was the rapidly improving Bundy Baz, who is trained by Adrien Chevalier.
From box one in his heat, he jumped quickly after pawing at the boxes, before quickly accelerating into full speed. After finding a clear lead down the back straight, he never looked in any danger, winning by four lengths in a very handy 30.89.
It was an effort that impressed Chevalier.
“I thought it was good, he still did a lot wrong, he’s very raw, but it was a good run.” Chevalier said.
“I thought that if he got a clear run, then he was the best dog in the race. We just needed a clear run so he could get to the rail, because he’s still wobbling on the turns and doing a fair bit wrong.”
The heat win took Bundy Baz’s career record to 4 wins from 14 starts, with 3 of those wins coming in his last 4 runs. He is starting to show real growth, with the Aussie Infrared x Stepping whelping still yet to two, which he will do in December.
Box seven is what awaits him on Thursday night, a draw which is not very kind and has not thrilled Chevalier. Bundy Baz will be looking to ride the early speed that is drawn below him, before using his strength to stave them off late.
“I don’t like the draw at all!” lamented Chevalier
“Because there is speed from the five dog (Zinfandel Evie) and the three dog (Unholy Reign), I think he may get the right cart over, but from box seven it will be hard.”
“He would have to lob on their backs and get to the rail, if he gets pushed wide at the first turn then I think that might be game set and match, but if the five brings him into it, which it should lead the race going off last week’s first splits, then he’s a chance.”
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Away from the Leigh Rogers final, there will be some superb races with high quality dogs engaged for the night.
Fresh off a Gawler Cup victory, Adhana Rico will be looking to make two wins in five days, when he lines up in a mixed 2/3/4 event over the 530m distance. Whilst he will start a deserved short price favourite and be hard to beat, he will have some stern competition in the form of quality chasers like Buzz The Hustler, Victa Tony and Springvale Dave.
Race five will see a red-hot fast class event over the 595m distance, with the inform Fantastic Dixie ready to face some new competition, which includes Miss Artemis, Dashing Deb and Dash Of Blue. It will be an excellent race, with Fantastic Dixie looking to use an inside draw, which should allow her to find a clear path, which she will need to if she is to get over the top of the field.
The night will also include a rare masters event for the city program, with an eight dog field assembled over the 530m distance. Whilst it is a race that is for the older chasers, it isa very strong field with the likes of It’s Smudgy, Razzle Darryl and Psychotic Babe all in good form.
A terrific night of racing will get underway at 6:34 pm local time.
Best Bet: Katrina Highkick (Race 9, Number 1)
Value Bet: Mac Frenzy (Race 3, Number 3)