Al’s Entity might not be racing in Paul Abela’s name in Saturday night’s Vic Peters Classic Final (520m) at Wentworth Park, but that won’t detract from the celebrations if the Parwan trainer secures his first Group 1 trophy.
Abela transferred Al’s Entity to ‘caretaker’ NSW trainer Michelle Sultana for his tilt at the age-restricted Vic Peters, following a proven formula that saw Panadero Warrior annex the G2 Bulli Gold Cup in February.
“I don’t mind at all that he’s not in my name on Saturday night,” Abela said.
“Michelle and Darryl (Thomas, partner) won the Bulli Cup for me, and I also sent them Aston Ulysses, which is still going really well and came back to Victoria and won the Pink Diamond (Veterans).
“When I sent them Al’s Entity, I told Darryl this bloke is quicker than Panadero Warrior and Aston Ulysses.
WATCH: “Al’s Entity is going to win it big time!” AL’S ENTITY (B7) opened his career in a blaze of glory when charging away with the G3 Vic Bred Maiden on Australian Cup night.
“He trialled 29.50sec at Wentworth Park before the Vic Peters heats. He’s fast. He’s as fast as I’ve ever had!”
Al’s Entity, a beautifully related April ’21 son of Collision and Zara’s Entity, opened his career in the G3 Vic Bred Maiden series during the Australian Cup Carnival and stormed to victory in the final from box seven, the same draw he has in the Vic Peters.
At his first appearance since May 10, Al’s Entity made his Wentworth Park debut in last Saturday’s Vic Peters heats, where he showed unprecedented early speed to lead before running second, beaten only three-quarters, by 29.90sec winner Tarawi Tiger.
After drawing seven for the $75,000 to-the-winner final (race 7, 8.08pm), Al’s Entity is the $6 second elect with Sportsbet, one of only two runners at single figures.
The market is dominated by 29.49sec heat winner Zipping Remus (box 1).
However, Abela is by no means conceding the Classic to the $1.50 favourite.
“We’re actually pretty confident,” he said.
“We’re rapt with the draw. I wanted to be out wide. He’d rather have other dogs inside him than outside him.
“I gave him a few weeks off because he was getting knocked around a bit and he’d had a fair campaign. He won the big maiden and then went through the (G3) Launching Pad. He ran fourth in the final but probably should have won it.
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“I gave him a couple of trials before he went up to NSW and he showed me a first section I hadn’t seen before his break, and he began really well last week. He went 5.37sec.
“He’s just got to come out like that again and he’ll put himself right in the race.
“He’s only won three from 14 and I said to Darryl (Thomas) this week that I’m sick of making excuses for him. He’s got to start putting it on the board!”
While Al’s Entity will be chasing G1 glory in Sydney, one hour earlier at Geelong, litter brother Nature Strip will be looking to continue his excellent form since returning from a tendon injury with a third straight win.
Trained by David Geall, Nature Strip – which strangely enough isn’t named after his champion thoroughbred counterpart – has won his past two starts at Shepparton (24.98sec) and The Meadows (29.98sec) in great style.
“He’s got a huge motor but he’s mad keen, which has made him a little bit hit and miss,” Geall said.
“He’s doesn’t have that much two-bend experience, but he adapted very well at The Meadows last week.
“He got out fast – 5.09sec is one of his better splits and it’s encouraging because it starts to put you in the Group range for the future. He just needs to find a few lengths at the back end.
“He’s owned by Terry Hines, who had the great Whisky Assassin and Give Me Five. Terry doesn’t follow the racehorses at all and didn’t know there was a horse called Nature Strip until this bloke had started racing. He knows now!
“The plan is to head back to The Meadows for the (G1) Maturity heats next week and if he draws one to three, he’ll give a good account of himself.”
