Box Draw Has Gambella Up Against It In Sapphire

ANTHONY Azzopardi has the "Dashing Slay blues" like most rivals, but he is also adamant his bitch Gambella is a top notch sprinter.

The pair will clash next week in the final of the Group 1 Sapphire Crown (515m) at Sandown Park after brilliantly winning their heats on Thursday night.

Azzopardi's Gambella (Fernando Bale-Desiree Devere) was sublime winning in 29.23 but has drawn off the track again in the final in box six.

Dashing Slay (Fernando Bale-Dashing Wilma) was rocket-like again when winning her heat in 29.01 beating Group 1 star Lakeview Emily by three lengths.

"Our bitch is a really nice bitch," Azzopardi said of Gambella.

"She's top notch and a really good chance in the final.

"That's because she can lead or come from behind and that's a wonderful ability to have.

"But, she has done it hard in her career to date, coming off so many bad boxes.

"She needs the inside and we know she can run 29.00 if she draws inside."

But, Azzopardi also knows Dashing Slay in box three is drawn to lead and be almost impossible to run down.

"The three is almost a certainty in the final," he said.

"I said ‘almost'. If we had drawn inside her, I would give Gambella a great chance against her. But, that's not the case."

Azzopardi has 30 in training and a big crop of youngsters just educated with great reports about to go into training.

Plans for Gambella will centre on a tilt at the upcoming G1 Flying Amy Classic at Q2 Parklands in Queensland.

"I'm trying to get trialling info for The Q," he said.

Azzopardi is contemplating establishing a base in Queensland where he can spend from time to time eight to 12 weeks racing at The Q.

"That Q1 city meeting is very attractive," he said. "I'm looking around to see what I can find to set up a base.

"Dogs need a break from racing at the same tracks and this could be ideal."

Other heats of the Sapphire Crown went to Paw Octavia (Fernando bale-Xamira Bale) in 29.61 for Samantha Grenfell, and Bourne Model (Feral Franky-Sweet On Mee) for David Peckham in 29.64.

G1 Sapphire Crown (515m): 1 Bourne Model, 2 Paw Octavia, 3 Dashing Slay, 4 Trefusis, 5 Dr Zeeka, 6 Gambella, 7 Tully Luna, 8 Lakeview Emily.

JEFF Britton's Mepunga Reward (Fernando Bale-Mepunga Isla) was brilliant in winning his heat of the G1 Harrison Dawson in 29.06 on Thursday night.

He scored by four lengths over Flying Zulu.

Other heats of the Harrison Dawson went to:

George Borg's current star sprinter Deadly Avenger (Tommy Shelby-Avenger Lass) in 29.11 beating Tim Zoo by a length.

Wyong Dallas (Fernando Bale-Gypsy Wyong) in 29.68 narrowly over Van Wyck for Tom Dailly.

Morton (Tommy Shelby-Chloe Louise) for Jason Sharp in 29.32 over Field Day.

G1 Harrison Dawson: 1 Van Wyck, 2 Tim Zoo, 3 Field Day, 4 Mepunga Reward, 5 Morton, 6 Deadly Avenger, 7 Flying Zulu, 8 Wyong Dallas.