by Tayler Strong
Aveross Rustler, the Forbury Park specialist, is in line to win the $10,000 Final of the Sprint Series tonight (Thursday) at Forbury Park.
Aveross Rustler powered home from a second line draw in a nine-horse field to win the second heat. His time of 1.25.1 was the fastest of three heats run in the past month.
Aveross Rustler was returning after a three month break from racing.
“He had trained off, and we gave him a five week break. We set him for this when we found out the rating for the series,” said Faulks. “He has come through his race good as gold.”
It was the third win in four starts over 1200m at Forbury Park for the Live Or Die eight-year-old. The Andrew Faulks-trained gelding has also won twice over 2200m on the track for Dunedin breeders Ross and Averil Pettitt. He won a heat in the December 2014 series, but he did not contest the final that year. He won a heat in 2015, and finished fifth in the final which was won by Hudson Sully. He did not contest the series last year.
Bontz, who came off a second row draw to win the first heat in the hands of Stephen McNally, has Blair Orange as his driver this week. McNally has taken the drive on Mighty Empire, whom he drove to finish third to Jetenara and Takitimu Express in the heat last Thursday.
Mighty Empire, who won over 2200m at Forbury Park on June 15, has thrived in the care of Amber Hoffman at Waikouaiti this month. Hoffman has also been caretaker trainer for Takitimu Express.
Dexter Dunn, who drove Jetenara, has opted for Audi Hare, whom he drove to a last start win over 2200m at Forbury Park. The Michael House-trained Audi Hare ran Bontz to a neck in the first heat of the 1200m series after working hard.
Andrew Suddaby is the replacement driver on Jetenara.
Jackalack Sue is a ready-made favourite for the $10,000 claimers final. She has won two heats for trainer-driver Robbie Holmes. Her outside draw (seven) should not be a problem in a seven-horse field.
Elusive Flight won the other heat in the absence of Jackalack Sue.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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