Boom Down led the charge of a top-flight Victorian staying and sprint brigade which descended upon Brisbane for last night’s heats of the Group 1 Gold Bullion (520m) and Group Listed Gold Cup (710m) at Albion Park.

Boom Down and G1 Hume Cup winner True Detective, who finished fourth to Just Terms in his Gold Cup heat, and Snags McKenzie, who finished second to Good Odds Harada in his Gold Bullion heat, were the ‘sole survivors’ of the Victorian contingent.

Snags McKenzie will be joined by Victorian counterpart Sennachie who received exemption from the heats and automatic entry into the Gold Bullion final, courtesy of his recent victory in the G3 Golden Ticket (520m) at Albion Park.

Sennachie has also won the G1 Maturity Classic, G1 Brisbane Cup and G2 Queensland Derby. He has also finished second in the G1 Silver Chief and G3 Speed Star, and third in the G1 Adelaide Cup. He was also a G1 Topgun finalist.

In all, Sennachie has competed in nine group race finals. He is also Albion Park’s current 520m track record holder (29.38sec).

It was a mixed bag for the ‘southerners’ – going by the wayside were five-time G1 winner Tornado Tears and Blazing Cartier (Gold Cup) and Circle of Dreams (Gold Bullion). Tornado Tears and Blazing Cartier both finished sixth in their respective Gold Cup heats, while Circle Of Dreams finished seventh in her Gold Bullion heat.

Trained by Andrea Dailly, Boom Down ($5.00) defeated local champ Bago Bye Bye ($2.20F) by a head in 41.92sec.

Winner of the G3 Sydney Cup and runner-up to Tornado Tears in the G1 Bold Trease, Boom Down notched his 20^th win, with 11 seconds and 12 thirds, from 58 starts.

Star NSW stayer Just Terms (41.89sec) was the fastest Gold Cup qualifier.

Meanwhile, NSW flying machine Fernando Blaster (29.66sec) was the fastest Gold Bullion qualifier.

Pawnote: Champion NSW litter brothers Feral Franky (29.67sec) and Good Odds Harada (29.89sec) both won a Gold Bullion heat.

Here are the box draws for both finals:

G1 Gold Bullion

1. She’s Some Gal
2. Feral Franky
3. Good Odds Harada
4. Fernando Blaster
5. Sennachie
6. Nangar Gift
7. Snags McKenzie
8. Big Boy Bruce
Reserves:
9. Charming Chaos
10. Farmor Fearsome

Listed Gold Cup
1. True Detective
2. What About It
3. Emmaville Star
4. Boom Down
5. Kendall
6. Babs Kramer
7. Just Terms
8. Bago Bye Bye
Reserves:
9. Rasheda
10. It’s A Trick