All roads lead to Dubbo for the cream of the nation’s middle distance ranks over the next fortnight for the second running of the lucrative Country Classic (605m).
The Classic Final on Saturday, March 18 is worth $125,000 to-the-winner, making the three-round series the world’s richest middle distance race.
Victoria had three finalists in last year’s inaugural Classic – Aston Ulysses, Immunity and Jarick Bale – but all finished unplaced behind home state victor Zipping Kyrgios.
On Saturday night, four Vics will contest the Dubbo heat – race 5, 7.22pm – the Central West track also the venue for the semi-finals (Saturday, March 11) and final, with young trainer Ned McDonald and Melbourne Cup winner Mark Delbridge having two runners apiece.
McDonald, 22, is making the long drive from Pearcedale with in-form Black Sail (box 6) and second reserve Under Arrest, which has secured a start.
Black Sail has won 15 of his 38 starts, including four of his past seven, highlighted by the Listed Maidment Memorial (595m) at Sandown Park on Australia Day, McDonald’s biggest success to date.
After gapping his rivals in the Maidment Memorial, Black Sail featured in the Australian Cup Carnival, running fifth to Dookie Devil in the G1 Rookie Rebel invitational (600m) and then last Saturday he came from last to finish second in the Cup Night Middle Distance special event.
While Black Sail heads into Saturday night’s assignment without trialling at Dubbo and also has an awkward alley to contend with, McDonald is playing the long game with the May ’20 son of Superior Panama.
WATCH: “It’s a one-act affair!” BLACK SAIL (B1) was a “mile in front” in the Listed Maidment Memorial (595m) at Sandown Park on Australia Day, scoring by 7 lengths in 34.00sec.
“I’m driving up Saturday morning and then coming straight home Saturday night,” said McDonald.
“It’s a ten-hour trip from the doorstep, so it’ll be 20 hours in the car.
“Not having had a look at the track isn’t ideal, and I wouldn’t normally do it, but with the next two weeks being at Dubbo, I decided to take them there and have a look at the track. Hopefully, they can run top four and get through.
“We’re going there for Black Sail. He’s in the peak of his career and is going as good as he’s ever gone.
“He’s a very fast dog; he just needs an ounce of luck early.
“Box six isn’t ideal either. I reckon he either needs to ping the lids and go straight to the front or miss the start and head to the fence.
“Under Arrest is going along more as a travelling companion. Dogs travel better when there’s two of them and both these dogs are unreal travellers.
“But don’t get me wrong, Under Arrest can run when he wants to. He’s a funny dog, but he’s had a bit of a freshen up and if he decides to have a crack, it’s usually a pretty good crack!”
Mark Delbridge’s two Dubbo runners are G2 Launceston Cup placegetter Ailee Bale (box 5) and Zoha Bale (box 8).
Heats of the Classic are being held across NSW regional venues this week, with the first four placegetters in each qualifier advancing to next weekend’s semis, and elite Victorians have already made their presence felt.
On Thursday afternoon, last start Rookie Rebel winner Dookie Devil and litter sister Jackpot Joan ran the quinella for Glenn Dainton in the Temora heat.
Dookie Devil started $2.80 favourite and stormed home to score by one length in 32.98sec, his fifth win from his last six starts, with the defeat coming when runner-up in the G1 Sale Cup.
Mark Delbridge also has Valor Bale (box 4) engaged in Friday night’s Richmond heat – race 7, 9.19pm.
