It was a ‘Black Friday’ for favourite punters at Richmond when Jackpot Josie delivered a knockout blow in the opening Heat of the Ladbrokes Gold Muzzle Auction race series at Richmond on Friday night and lowered the colours of boom chaser Flying Ricciardo
Prepared by industry stalwart George Borg from his Berkshire Park kennels, the daughter of Dyna Double One and Bella Senora carved out a sizzling 8.13 first split from the extreme outside box before racing to the lead in the back straight and then holding off the $1.12 favourite to score in a Best-of-Night time of 22.52.
Despite leaving punters with burnt fingers, Flying Ricciardo lost few admirers with another gallant performance after he missed the start and struck early bother, eventually going down by 1 ½ lengths with Ray Keeping filling the minor spot another 6.25lengths adrift.
While it was a shock to many, Jackpot Josie did have some support as an $8 second favourite off the back of an outstanding record over the 400m trip at Richmond where she has now had 9 starts at the track and trip for 6 wins and 3 minor placings and twice she has recorded the sizzling time of 22.49.
In the second Heat, punters narrowed it down to basically a two-dog race and that’s exactly how it eventuated on the track.
Hola Adios ($1.90) held the call over Sienna Keeping ($3.60) when the boxes opened but it was the latter who prevailed by ¾ of a length with Bella’s Choice finishing third as the winner stopped the clock at 23.03.
The daughter of Melbourne Cup winning Sire, Black Magic Opal out of the G2 WA Oaks victor Milly Keeping, Sienna Keeping is owned and trained by leading Dubbo trainer Charmaine Roberts and has now earnt a cheque in 13 of 16 starts recording 6 victories and more than $16,000 on earnings.
Courtesy of what looks to be an ideal outside draw, Flying Ricciardo will start favourite in the $6,000 to the winner final next Friday night with Jackpot Josie drawn directly underneath him while the other likely leaders in the event, Hola Adios and Sienna Keeping have drawn poorly in Boxes 5 and 4 respectively.
Details of the 2021 Gold Muzzle Puppy Auction will be released shortly with Breeders already lining up to nominate their Pups for the event and enormous interest from prospective purchasers.
