Borg Confident Of Classic Shepparton Catch

JOE Borg is hoping Saturday night's Shepparton Classic will serve as a springboard for his promising sprinter Brewski Bruce.

The son of Magic Sprite won for the seventh time in nine starts when claiming a heat of the $10,000-to-the-winner Classic last Monday evening.

Despite his record, he was sent out at an enormous price of $12.60, jumping well and leading from box 4 before being headed Matt's Hope at the first turn. Switching to the outside turning for home, Brewski Bruce surged past the leader to claim a half a length victory in 25.09.

"He hadn't been to Shepparton, had never seen the place," said Borg.

SHEPPARTON FIELDS AND FORM FOR SATURDAY NIGHT

"He probably wouldn't have given up that lead if he knew the track, but Matt's Hope has a lot of pace and he's one of the dangers in the final.

? BOX DRAW ?

? #SheppartonClassic Final
? March 5

1️⃣ BREWSKI BRUCE
2️⃣ HIGH END
3️⃣ JUNGLE PANTHER (? 5)
4️⃣ MIGHTY PIE
5️⃣ WINDY STORM
6️⃣ MATT'S HOPE
7️⃣ IN A BLUE
8️⃣ ORSON THUNDER

9️⃣ FEARLESS RORY (1R)
? JEFFERSON COUNTY (2R)#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/4WBJwF3UEQ

— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) February 28, 2022

"But I'm happy with the way he's going at the moment. He's getting stronger and stronger with every run, he's the real deal."

Brewski Beat has drawn the red in a final that features several promising sprinters including Matt's Hope, Orson Thunder and Jungle Panther, and Borg believes the favourable draw will help his chances.

"That's a big plus. He's got a lot of pace early but he does occasionally miss it.

"He's more consistent at box rise than he was early in his career. In his first start he made every mistake under the sun and still got up and won, but he's racing against a better class of dog than he did in that first start."

Seven of Brewksi Bruce's nine starts have been over 450m or 460m, but he did win his only start over 525m at the Meadows and it's there that Borg believes ‘Paddy's future lies. Indeed, so highly does Borg rate Brewski Bruce's prospects that he is targeting one of the sport's premier age restricted classics.

"If he can win (the Classic) I'll look to put him in the Shepparton Cup heats (on 14 March), but we will step him up to 500m.

"The goal down the track is the Maturity (in July). We're looking at it one week at a time, but as long as he stays sound that'll be the goal. Right now though it's about improving with each start.

"He'll get stronger, he's continually getting stronger and stronger, he's a good dog to have in the kennel."

The Shepparton Classic will be run at 8.09pm on Saturday.