Ayre: Extra Specialism The One To Beat At Richmond

QUEENSLANDER Ryan Ayre believes Extra Specialism and not his more favoured kennelmate Mr America is the one to beat in Saturday's final of the National Straight Track (324m) at Richmond.

Ryan has Bogie Fury, the winner of 26 races, drawn box three for the final and that brilliant beginner comes into the race off a second to Milligan in the Queensland final two weeks ago.

FIELDS AND FORM RICHMOND SATURDAY

Bogie Fury has not trialled at Richmond in preparation for the final but went 19.59 at Capalaba last Sunday and Ryan Ayre was more than happy with the performance.

“I think the red (Extra Specialism) is the one to toss in the final,” he said.

“He's drawn perfectly and his first sections are great. He can be on the lure and vying for the lead from the jump.”

Extra Specialism, like favourite Mr America, is trained by Darren Sultana and has only just made his straight track debut winning the NSW final in 17.63 last Saturday.

Sultana's kennel favourite, Mr America, comes into the race off 13 wins at Richmond.

While Ryan is well aware of the ability of fellow Queenslander Milligan, who trialled brilliantly at Richmond last week, he believes there is a chink in his armour.

Ooof ?

Our QLD National Straight Track Representative MILLIGAN looking swift in his trial this morning!

pic.twitter.com/zOXBG4mcyV

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) August 20, 2022

“He loves the eight box at Capalaba, but that is with the drag lure up the centre of the track,” said Ryan.

“I'm not so sure he will be best suited off the eight box at Richmond where the lure is way over on the rails.”

Daniel Gibbons' littermates and kennelmates Quinlan Bale and Nicolson Bale head to Richmond with huge credentials.

Quinlan Bale, untried at straight racing until set for this series, won the Victorian final in 19.42 at Healesville, then reeled off a flying 18.98 to win The Arrow against a super field last Sunday.

It took his record to 12 wins and $68,000 from just 25 starts for the son of Feral Franky.

He has drawn the four and outside very quick beginners Extra Specialism and Bogie Fury.

But that scorching Healesville win in The Arrow makes him a huge chance of winning this final.

South Australian pair I'm Gifted Too and He's On Fire have drawn the five and six respectively, the latter coming into the grand final off a series of Murray Bridge straight wins all in impressive style.

Neither were particularly quick in their trials at Richmond during the race meeting last Sunday, but both can be expected to be improved on those performances.