Trainer Ricky Holloway will be optimistic, but cautious, following Lenson Wilson’s 29.42 (-20) victory in the opening round of the Cearnsport Springbok.
The 1-4f led from trap to line to win by a black nod under 10 lengths from Go On Taylor.
It was a good night for the kennel with Shaneboy Bowie (29.80) and Barricane Jack (30.29) also winning with kennelmate Aayamzacraftyone finishing third.
The other heats went to Dave Le’s Droopys Stephen in 29.90 – all going allowances -20.
BARRICANE JACK (t1) getting the better of reserve Courts Ad Laney (t4) in their closely fought battle in heat 3 of the Springbok. Photo: © Steve Nash
Lenson Wilson’s third win from three over the sticks gives him an unbeaten aggregate of over 28 lengths, but no one will need to tell his trainer the lessons of counting your Springboks before the hurdles have been jumped.
Last year Sober Call (1-3f) went into the final boasting five unbeaten races over the jumps including a 28.98 track record but it all went awry when he was bumped at the start.
The previous year, Razldazl Raidio reached the decider unbeaten and the Wimbledon 480mH clock in his possession (28.89) but was turned over by his great nemesis, Razldazl Raidio.
Overall though, the omens are good, six of the previous eight winners, including Holloway’s Westmead Meteor, all justified their positions as final favourites.
