“Diego Flight should win it, but he is no certainty”
Wimbledon racing manager Gary Matthews believes the result of Tuesday night’s 2015 William Hill St. Leger final could be decided within the first 30 metres, writes Floyd Amphlett.
Liz McNair’s Diego Flight clocked a flying 16.18 sectional (TR 15.82) in Friday’s semis and crossed the line a lap later in 41.28 (TR 41.13).
On that form, the dog sold after the first round of the Red Mills Unraced at Clonmel in January, has a nine spots advantage over Roxholme Dream and more than half a second over next fastest qualifier Fizzypop Buddy.
But Matthews warned: “It is a short break between semis and final and you don’t know how the quick runs will affect them.
“If Roxholme Dream gets inside Diego Flight and worries him out of the race, I could see Fizzypop Buddy picking them up. But if the favourite stays out of trouble in that first thirty or forty metres, I can see his middle pace taking him away from them.”
As for the RFS Puppy Derby Final?
Matthews said: “I have been very impressed by Ballymac Ramsey but I think Droopys Roddick is the one to beat.
“The way the draw has worked out, I can picture Droopys Nine leading up and Roddick getting a clear run. He looks exceptional and I can imagine him as a leading fancy for next year’s Derby.”
Matthews admits to disappointment at the overall quality of the support card which has already been depleted with Genie withdrawn (lame) from the marathon.
He said: “I think we have been affected by what is going on at Crayford and I don’t think it was very well thought out at all.
“I don’t blame the trainers, they are chasing big prize money. Once upon a time, the televised SKY meeting had precedence over other competitions but not any more.”
