Cousins and co-owner/trainers Gavin Clifton and David McKenzie are eyeing another lucrative interstate feature with Photo Man, favourite for Thursday night’s Group 2 TAB Flying Amy Classic final (520m) at Albion Park in Brisbane.
In May, Photo Man qualified for the Million Dollar Chase final in Sydney, where he ran fifth to local sensation She’s A Pearl, and he’ll now spearhead Clifton and McKenzie’s two-pronged tilt at the Flying Amy.
Winner of nine from 21, Photo Man will be joined in the $100,000 to-the-winner final by Pazienza, which has won 10 from 39, including six of his past eight, with the kennelmates drawing ideally in boxes one and two respectively.
“It was an enormous thrill to be in the Million Dollar Chase, even though we didn’t think we could cause much harm; She’s A Pearl is a superstar,” Gavin Clifton said.
“It’s not worth a million dollars this time but we’ve drawn the two best boxes and I reckon we’re right in it!
“I just wish we could get into a final in Victoria – it would save a lot of mucking around!” he added with a laugh.
“I flew up for the heats, but I had to be at work at 10am last Friday, so I was on a flight at 6.05am, which didn’t leave much time for celebratory drinks!
“I don’t have to work this Friday, which is a good thing.”
WATCH: PHOTO MAN (3) staved off fellow Victorian and odds-on favourite AMRON BOY (2) to win his heat of the Group 2 Flying Amy Classic at Albion Park in 29.76sec last Thursday night.
Photo Man ($7.50) provided Clifton and McKenzie with the first leg of their heat double when upstaging fellow Victorian Amron Boy, holding Brooke Ennis’ $1.50 favourite at bay in 29.76sec.
Pazienza then completed a memorable night with an upset 30.02sec success over another Vic in Kelsey Bale, trained by Daniel Gibbons.
From Box 1, where he’s won twice and has two seconds from four starts, Photo Man heads TAB’s Flying Amy market at $3, ahead of Amron Boy (Box 5) at $3.20, with Pazienza a $26 outsider.
“It’s exciting times,” Clifton said.
“To get two through to the final and then draw those two boxes as well.
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“They are both really reliable beginners and they pinged out again in their heats. Amron Boy was the one dog you didn’t want to have sitting on you and I thought ‘oh no’, but Photo Man knuckled down big time.
“Pazienza’s owner (Glen McKinley) actually didn’t want me to take him up to Brisbane but he’s a very underrated dog. It’s an age-restricted race that he gets into by four days and he’s such a good beginner that I thought he’s got to be in it.”
A Victorian will also have the advantage of Box 1 in the other feature event at Albion Park on Thursday, the G3 TAB Dashing Corsair (710m).
Daniel Gibbons’ quest to claim a breakthrough feature trophy will continue with Rohan Bale, TAB’s $2.20 favourite for the $25,000 to-the-winner staying event after a 42.44sec heat victory.
Group 2 Flying Amy Classic finalist Pazienza in full flight at Sandown Park.
