Great anticipation surrounds the return to racing of exciting prospect Paua Of Buddy at Warragul on Tuesday night.
Trained by Steve White, Paua Of Buddy (5 from 8 – 4 from 5 Warragul 460m) hasn’t been seen in action since July 30, when he ran a close second to two-time G1 winner Qwara Bale in a heat of the G3 Warragul St. Leger.
That’s an excellent form reference for tonight’s Grade 5 event, albeit over the 400m short-course, with The Watchdog tagging the half-brother to Warragul 400m record holder Paua Of Oscar’s battle against the clock as the Must Watch ‘race’ of the day.
Warragul will also stage an enthralling duel between Sweet Petit (10 from 28 – 3 of past 4), multiple feature winner of the Snow Queen last start at The Meadows and Blue Diamond Princess series in June, and classy youngster Sir Harley (4 from 10 – 3 of past 4).
Another captivating clash will pit Perfect Colour (17 from 48) against superbly-related youngster Jet Like Rico (3 from 5), a half-brother to Melbourne Cup hero Hard Style Rico, and Massimo (11 from 34).
The consistent Sneaky Mojo (14 from 39 – 5 from 13 Trk/Dst) looks a strong chance, as does the resuming Stack (9 from 31 – 2 from 3 Warragul 460m), making his first appearance since May 30.
Sean and Melanie Lithgow will produce 3 interesting first starters in Gotham Diva, Gotham Baron and Gotham Baroness, well-bred half-relations to Group finalists Dream Wizard and Gotham Duke.
The headline event at Horsham is a three-way tussle between King Of Glory (7 from 17 – 3 from 4 Box 1), Handsome Jack (15 from 49) and the regally related Aston Flame (7 from 12 – 2 from 3 Box 7), a litter sister to Australia’s fastest sprinter Aston Rupee.
Here’s an extensive analysis of today’s Must Watch Race, and be sure to scroll down further for ? The Watchdog’s $10 spend…