Brisbane Campaign Looming Large For Wow

IT was a night in at Canyonleigh rather than a long trip home from Sandown Park after the Speed Star match race series for Danielle Matic on Wednesday night.

Just a week earlier, Matic made the eight-plus hour trip south with super sprinter Wow in order to qualify for the unique event, with Wow's target the 515m Bill Collins Speed Star.

His 29.21 offering was outside the fastest eight times to qualify for the $10,000 to-the-winner event yet scratchings allowed for his elevation to the event but a decision was made to decline the invitation.

‘With Covid-19 restrictions in place once you return from Victoria, the decision was made to not go back," Danielle's mother Ruth said.

"The intention was to go to Albion Park next week and trial in preparation for the Brisbane Cup heats (June 24) but quarantine constraints would make that impossible.

"In the end, the Brisbane Cup is worth $250,000 to the winner and we'd have not been able to give Wow the trial on the track if quarantined."

Since his solo Sandown trial, Wow trialled over 350m at Goulburn and will contest a Free For All at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

Despite his undeniable quality, Wow faces a massive test at Wentworth Park.

He's drawn box two, the alley he won a Golden Easter Egg semi-final on April 3 in a blazing 29.45.

To his outside is Bones McCoy. While much younger and not as seasoned as Wow, he's been down to 29.62 at the famous Glebe circuit and has high speed.

Speed is also the calling card of Coast Model (box five). She improved her winning strike rate to 50 per cent on May 29 at her first top grade assignment.

Interestingly, her 29.93 win – number 10 at start 20 – was .38 or 5 1/2 lengths slower than her PB which was due to the track surface being reconstituted mid-week.

Pawnote: The Bill Collins Speed Star was taken out by Aston Rupee in 29.055.