By Adam Hamilton
Not even a wide draw has prevented the All Stars’ latest buzz juvenile Sicario from dominating betting in his Australian Gold semi-final at Menangle on Saturday night.
The son of Somebeachsomewhere was so impressive winning his Gold heat at Menangle on April 11, the Aussie TAB has him $1.55 to overcome gate seven and some quality opposition in his semi.
Sicario, owned by Victorians Bill and Jean Feiss, headed straight to Sydney after winning his first start at Invercargill on April 2.
His main danger in the semi clearly looks to be David Aiken’s exciting youngster Higherthananeagle (gate one), who is ironically a brother to Purdon’s former star Fly Like An Eagle.
Higherthananeagle, who has raced three times for a win and two seconds, is a $3.60 shot from the pole.
He led and was amazingly run down late by Lumineer in a scorching 1.53.8 mile rate in a 1720m heat of the Gold at Melton on April 7.
The Angela McDowall-trained Lumineer is a $1.40 shot to win the first of the semis from gate one with young gun Jason Lee to drive.
Purdon is chasing his fourth win in a Gold 2YO final following Mr Nickel in 2011, Follow The Stars in 2014 and Our Waikiki Beach in 2015.
Interestingly, Purdon has only driven one of them (Follow The Stars) himself. Natalie Rasmussen drove Our Waikiki Beach, while Greg Sugars had the reins on Mr Nickel.
In other Menangle news, former Kiwi star Tiger Tara’s planned race for Saturday was scrapped, meaning he will go straight into the $50,000 Group Two Bulli Cup at the same track on Saturday week.
It sets the scene for a probable and mouthwatering showdown with Miracle Mile winner Lennytheshark.
Lennytheshark was freshened after winning the Group Two Kilmore Cup on March 18, but grabbed the eye with a late surging second to Allblack Stride in a Menangle trial on Tuesday.
Lennytheshark’s stablemate, Hectorjayjay, is also close to a racetrack return.
He is also set to join the mix for the Group One Len Smith at Menangle in June followed by the Sunshine Sprint and Blacks A Fake during the Queensland Winter Carnival.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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