Three competitive Grade Five heats were conducted in a rare morning start to the 11-race card at Wagga on October 22 and the $5000 to-the-winner Grade Five highlights Friday night’s program.
Wagga’s more-regular night slot returns and the GRNSW Grade Five Final has Ray Sims’ Milly’s Last as the fastest qualifier.
The former Victorian has won four from 13 and placed six times for Sims since joining his Illabo team in May, and the heat outing was only her second over 525m at Wagga.
A clean start from the two alley parlayed into the diminutive daughter of Fabregas leading at the turn, and she held Aston Master at bay by 1 ½ lengths in 30.61s.
For the decider, Milly’s Last moves to box four and the task, depth-wise, is considerably tougher this time.
Despite tracking wide, Miss Key (box two) improved her Wagga 525m record to four wins from just five starts with a 30.76s heat win when a well-supported $1.75 chance.
No doubt Miss Key will again attract punters’ attention, yet Corrupted (box three) must be respected.
He was luckless when runner-up to Miss Key last time and, while 5 ½ lengths in arrears, he has the quality – and scope for improvement – to atone.
Previously, Corrupted had won three times (from only four starts) at Wagga over 400m and he’s suitably placed near the inside (box three).
The third heat was secured by the consistent Soul Searcher in 30.68s. Locally prepared by Brian Smith, Soul Searcher has proven adept from wide boxes and comes up with the seven alley for Friday's outing.
While this Final carries $5000 to-the-winner, primary prizemoney for 535m races at Wagga will increase from December 1 from $1500 to $2000 while placegetters will also receive a proportionate lift.
Maiden events, at all distances, increase to $1200 to-the-winner state-wide from November 1.
The first race at Wagga on Friday gets underway at 6.30pm.
