The St Leger is Race 8 on the card at Warragul tonight, which is scheduled to run at 9.20pm. Here’s an in-depth look at the contenders…
1. WEBLEC ACE
Breeding: September 2017 Kinloch Brae x Weblec Rose
Sex: Male
Breeder: Jane McNicholl, Williamstown SA
Owner: Weber Loechel Syndicate (Jeffrey Weber), Bowhill SA
Trainer: Jeffrey Britton, Anakie VIC
Record: 11 starts: 6-1-1
Prize money: $22,660
Record from Box 1: 2 starts: 2-0-0
Comment: Scored a commanding heat win, and is a big chance to claim his first black type success. He is one of three finalists prepared by Anakie mentor Jeffrey Britton, who also trains the two reserves.
2. EIGHT BALL – SCRATCHED
Breeding: May 2017 Kayda Shae x Taste Da Rainbow
Sex: Male
Breeder/Owner: Matthew Nash, Little River VIC
Trainer: Philip Smith, Pascoe Vale South VIC
Record: 18 starts: 6-3-4
Prize money: $28,165
Record from Box 2: 3 starts 1-0-2
Comment: Has acquired previous Group race final experience, finishing fourth to Flynn in this year’s Bill Collins Speed Star at Sandown Park.
3. GET IT GIZMO
Breeding: June 2017 Kinloch Brae x Dasha
Sex: Male
Breeder/Trainer: Harry Manolitsis, Lysterfield South VIC
Owner: Gizzy’s Gang Syndicate (Amie Manolitsis), Lysterfield South VIC
Record: 10 starts: 5-2-1
Prize money: $15,845
Record from Box 3: 1 start 0-0-1
Comment: Has a touch of class, which was revealed with a berth in the recent Group 1 Maturity Classic final at The Meadows. With five wins from only 10 starts, he has a 50 per cent winning strike rate.
4. SHIMA SHINE
Breeding: November 2017 Barcia Bale x Shima Song
Sex: Male
Breeder: Davrob Syndicate
Owner: Davrob Syndicate (Robert Cummings), Koo Wee Rup VIC
Trainer: Andrea Dailly, Anakie VIC
Record: 4 starts: 4-0-0
Prize money: $12,880
Record from Box 4: 1 start 1-0-0
Comment: Rising star who hasn’t tasted defeat in four starts. Only start from box four resulted in a win, incidentally at Warragul a week prior to the commencement of the St Leger series.
5. CURT LEE
Breeding: June 2017 Fernando Bale x Rockin’ Josie
Sex: Male
Breeder: Vincent Borg, Exford VIC
Owner: David Carroll, Langwarrin South VIC
Trainer: Glenn Rounds, Devon Meadows VIC
Record: 19 starts: 12-1-1
Prize money: $55,145
Record from Box 5: 3 starts 2-0-1
Comment: Lines up for his third Group race final this year, having contested the Group 2 Bendigo Cup and Group 2 Launching Pad (Sandown Park). Has already notched 12 wins from 19 starts. With two wins in three starts from box five, he’s capable of proving the surprise packet.
6. WEBLEC JACK
Breeding: September 2017 Kinloch Brae x Weblec Rose
Sex: Male
Breeder: Jane McNicholl, Williamstown SA
Owner: Loechel Weber Syndicate (Neville Loechel), Caloote SA
Trainer: Jeffrey Britton, Anakie VIC
Record: 13 starts: 6-1-0
Prize money: $18,695
Record from Box 6: 2 starts 1-0-0
Comment: Kennelmate and litter brother of Weblec Ace. Contested this year’s Group 1 Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park in Sydney. Keep in mind, he has semaphored a 29.87sec win from box six at The Meadows.
7. TALULAH BALE
Breeding: June 2017 Bella Infrared x Xylia Allen
Sex: Female
Breeder/Owner: Janice Wheeler, Boorowa NSW
Trainer: Heather Collins, Pearcedale VIC
Record: 6 starts; 2-2-0
Prize money: $3,580
Record from Box 7: 0 starts: 0-0-0
Comment: Up and comer who faces a tough assignment, albeit she appears suited from a wide draw.
8. MEPUNGA DANIEL
Breeding: September 2017 Barcia Bale x Mepunga Nicky
Sex: Male
Breeder/Owner: Barry Smith, Mepunga East VIC
Trainer: Jeffrey Britton, Anakie VIC
Record: 11 starts: 5-3-1
Prize money: $24,970
Record from Box 8: 0 starts: 0-0-0
Comment: Has shown plenty of ability with smart wins at Sandown Park, Geelong and Ballarat. Unknown quantity from box eight, although he has saluted from box seven at Geelong.
RESERVES
9. SPEARHEAD
Breeding: May 2017 Barcia Bale x Mepunga Mia
Sex: Male
Breeder: Barry Smith, Mepunga East VIC
Owner: Craig Smith, Mepunga East VIC
Trainer: Jeffrey Britton, Anakie VIC
Record: 26 starts: 7-6-4
Prize money: $44,785
Comment: Highly underrated sprinter. Back in May this year, he was a finalist in the Group 1 Harrison-Dawson at Sandown Park. Worth serious consideration if he obtains a start.
10. MISTER HARLEWOOD
Breeding: July 2017 Worm Burner x Miss Woods
Sex: Male
Breeder/Owner: Gino Grgurovic, Lewiston SA
Trainer: Jeffrey Britton, Anakie VIC
Record: 14 starts: 5-2-4
Prize money: $27,295
Comment: Also in the all-conquering Jeffrey Britton kennel, and strung together five consecutive city wins prior to contesting the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park in Sydney. Don’t dismiss if he happens to get a start.
