Hooked On Scotch Sets Sandown Alight

JASON Thompson was quick to put the Sandown 515 metre track record on notice following Hooked On Scotch's stunning Speed Star victory at a wet and blustery Sandown Park on Sunday night.

While the weather gods were far from kind for what was a fabulous card of racing, the elements did nothing to deter from the powerhouse performance of Hooked On Scotch in the feature event of the night, the number one seed carving out a sizzling 29.11 to secure the $20,000 first prize for connections.

"I've got no doubt under the right conditions this dog is capable of breaking [Unlawful Entry's 28.95) record here," said Thompson directly following the son of Barcia Bale's group 3 success.

Winner at four of his eight career starts, included in those wins the remarkable 29.09 he posted at Sandown recently to shoot to the top of the Speed Star pecking order, Thompson is toying with the idea of a trip to Wagga this Friday with the prodigious talent, joining kennelmate Black Opium for a qualifier of the TAB Million Dollar Chase.

Adding further merit to Hooked On Scotch's dazzling performance on Sunday was that the remaining match races in the main event were annexed by Sennachie in 29.54, Lucy's Milo in 29.69 and Got Some Wheels in 29.76 – meaning the younger half-brother to group 1 heroes Poke The Bear and Out Of Range had the best part of four tenths on his nearest rival.

Just amazing for a wet behind the ears pup still learning his craft.

The opening event on Speed Star night got off to a flying start with Jason Thompson's Spring Bridge carving out a slick 33.95 to land the $20,000 prize over the 595 metres.

Coming into the race off a slick 34.08 trial, the son of My Bro Fabio was heavily supported in betting and didn't let his backers down, powering away with the first of the match races.

His closest rival finishing runner-up was Rockstar Prince for Andrea Dailly, the son of Collision comfortably defeating Neo Cleo in his match-race to post 34.08.

The first 515 metre Speed Star consolation was won by Sweet As Emm for Brendan Pursell in a dazzling 29.35.

Recording the second fastest 515 metre time of the night, the powerful daughter of My Bro Fabio lapped up the conditions to runaway with her match race and secure the $8,000 first prize for connections.

Steinbrenner was an impressive victor of the fourth event in 29.47 for trainer Jeff Britton, while the night was rounded off with an interesting battle in the first of the 715 metre match races with the last two Sandown Cup winners, Tornado Tears and Rajasthan, trading places for the best part of their clash.

In a topsy-turvy match-up, which drew plenty of ‘oohs and aahs' from the crowd, Tornado Tears drew clear late to post a two length success in 42.12, a time that proved to be more than enough for the Rob Britton-trained son of Fernando Bale to secure a third Speed Star success.

His previous two were over the 595 metre journey.

* PICS Courtesy: GRV/Bluestream Pictures