The 2018 Cearnsport Springbok went from ‘solitaire’ to ‘poker’ at the semi final stage on Friday night.
The £5,000 to winner novice hurdler competition had appeared at the mercy of Lenson Wilson long before the event even got underway. A series of flying trials had been backed up by some flawless race performances.
Wilson retained his unbeaten record and enhanced his reputation, by coming from behind early leader Shaneboy Bowie to win his Friday night semi final by five lengths in 29.60. That was rounded down to 29.20 by a going allowance. This means that four of the black’s last six runs have been timed/calculated to between 29.20 and 29.25. Consistency personified.
However, although the 28.68 winner on the flat course will almost certainly start as favourite for Tuesday’s decider, it no longer threatens to be an exhibition bout with Hazelwood Terry and Droopy Stephan both stepping up to the plate.
Barry O’Sullivan’s runner – whose 33.51 is Crayford’s fastest 540m flat time of the year – narrowly reversed form with Stephan to clock a calculated 29.16. Dave Lee’s dog was only beaten a head which means on the clock – the top three in the betting will only be separated by half a length.
Indeed 42 spots covered all six finalists.
The favourite has early pace drawn on either side, while the Crayford raider is ‘plotted up’ in red.
GAME ON!
Courts Ad Laney (t3) leads 1/6 winner Lenson Wilson (t5) over the third jump (first in the back straight) in their Springbok semi. Pic: © Steve Nash
