Fernando Blaster Primed For Lismore Gold

ETTRICK trainer Terry Jordan believes the only thing in the way of Fernando Blaster winning Tuesday night's Group 2 Lismore Gold Cup final is the dog himself.

Fernando Blaster (Fernando Bale-Amy Lyndan) goes into the final one of the hot chances in the 520m $40,000 to-the-winner race after resuming from a 10-week break with a stylish heat victory last week in 29.68.

He has drawn box two and therein lies Jordan's concern.

“All his best form has been off a wide draw,” said Jordan.

“He's been in a number of big race finals and every time he has drawn an inside box. And that has been his downfall.”

Fernando Blaster was third in the Group 3 The Ambrosoli, second in the Group 2 Maitland Cup and fourth in the Group 1 National Derby.

But, he has started 35 times for 15 wins and nine placings earning $68,000 for owner, Sydney-based Merv Papworth.

Jordan believes the red runner Buck's Future is the one to beat with betting reflecting that, the pair currently $2.25 equal favourites with bookmaker Sportsbetting.com.au.

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“He's already a Group 1 winner and he will come out good and go straight,” he said. “The three dog Bad Neighbour will do the same.”

First sectionals have Fernando Blaster vying for the lead at the first turn on Tuesday night. But Jordan points out that the dog's second section is where he puts his rivals away.

“The dog had not started for 10 weeks before the heat run so that race should bring him on in fitness,” he said. “He got tired at the end of the race last week.”

Fernando Blaster has started five times over 520m at Lismore for four wins and has a 29.46 best on the track.

Click here for Tuesday night's Lismore form