Speed Star: Can Christo Catch The Thief?

A pulsating match race between Catch The Thief and Christo Bale is expected to decide the ultimate winner of Wednesday's Group 3 Speed Star (525m) at The Meadows.

In what promises to be a gripping spectacle between the top two seeds, Catch The Thief will exit box one in his quest for Speed Star supremacy with powerhouse performer Christo Bale to exit box three.

THE MEADOWS FORM WEDNESDAY

And with the pair possessing vastly different racing styles, the scene is set for an absorbing clash on Wednesday.

A few weeks ago, Catch The Thief's trainer Matt Clark declared his charge was open to further improvement, taken aback by some of the trial times his group winning sprinter had been recording.

It was a bold statement given the son of Aussie Infrared's lofty deeds which has seen his career spiral ahead in leaps and bounds during 2020.

However, following last Thursday's rampaging 29.61 victory at The Meadows, it would seem Clark's assessment was an accurate one, the win extending Catch The Thief's record to 17 dazzling wins from 28 starts.

Tab.com.au have installed the WA Derby hero a solid $2.50 to win the Speed Star series slightly ahead of his combatant on Wednesday, Christo Bale, at $2.80.

The market suggests the overall winner will come out of the opening match race and given their class edge on the field it's hard to argue.

Down the back straight racegoers can expect to see Catch The Thief in full flight out in front with Christo Bale working through his gears in pursuit.

Christo Bale exemplifies every attribute that makes him ideal for two-dog racing.

Armed with a booming finish, Christo Bale's credentials as a group 2 winning middle distance chaser are well documented.

He loves The Meadows where he's won seven times and to be fair, serves as the only legitimate chance of runners engaged on Wednesday capable of beating Catch The Thief in his current form.

Yet if Catch The Thief is running his 29.60 out in front on Wednesday off blistering first and second sectionals, it begs the question whether it's mathematically feasible for Christo Bale to mow him down?

It's that very question that makes for an enthralling clash on Wednesday.

Match race four will see Arizona Eyes and Weblec Ace face off with the pair $6 and $8 respectively to claim overall Speed Star honours.

And while betting around the 525 metre event is spirited, it's a very different story for the 600 metre series.

Middle distance star Houdini Boy is $1.40 to take out the series while over the 725 metres, Sunset Bourbski has been installed $1.90.

Second favourite over the distance is Here's Tears at $3.50, just ahead of an out of sorts He Shall Power at $5.