Cannan On Track For Maiden Thousand Double

BRILLIANT semi-final winner Amy Cora looks poised to claim trainer Debbie Cannan a second straight Hobart Maiden Thousand title at Elwick this Thursday night.

Winner of the 2019 finale with Ryall, Cannan has unearthed a bona fide star of the future in Amy Cora, the daughter of Barcia Bale and Pearl's Legacy winning her heat of the series in a blistering 25.94 before taking out her semi-final last Thursday in 26.10.

"She's a really good young bitch; she's got that early pace and she's strong at the finish as well," Cannan said in the lead up to Thursday night's final.

"It was a bit of luck that we got her. Ian Sowell was looking for a few dogs to buy and I just told him to be patient and wait for the right ones to come along.

"We were put in touch with Peter Stanford in NSW and I must say he's been a gentleman to deal with. We bought a dog from Peter called Whiskey River and at the time he said he had a nice bitch broken-in which was Amy Cora. 

"At first Peter wasn't planning on selling her but we said if he ever decided to for him to give us a call. One thing then led to another and we got her. I've never had dogs turn up here in better condition than what Peter's ones did. We've since bought two of Amy Cora's brothers as well and one looks like being very handy."

No stranger to success on the big stage, including St. Pierre's 2011 Group 1 Australian Cup triumph, Cannan admits to being rather nervous about Thursday night's maiden finale.

"I can't remember being more nervous about a race," Cannan said.

"Peter (Stanford) and his good friend Barry are flying over to watch Amy Cora. Barry's 72 and it's the first time he's been on a plane and left NSW.

"Peter named Amy Cora after Barry's mother who raised 11 children on her own which I just think is great. I'd love to see her win the final for Barry more than anyone.

"I'll probably cry if she wins and cry if she loses."

Just 19 months of age, Amy Cora is one of two finalists for Cannan in Thursday night's $8,000 to-the-winner final, the second of those 26.33 semi-final victor Kintyre, the son of Barcia Bale and Emerald Lee beginning his career at a tender 17 months of age.

"I'm really proud of him," Cannan said.

"In his heat it was all new to him but he never gave up. I didn't think he'd win his semi-final but I thought he'd improve … in the end he won by a head. He'll be improved again for the final but he hasn't had as much experience as Amy Cora … but he's got speed and anything can happen in these races.

"When the litter was born Kintyre almost died. The vet, Andrew, worked on him for half-an-hour to get him breathing again and he's turned into the most beautiful young dog. His kennel name is Andrew."

Markets for Thursday night's final see Amy Cora the $1.85 favourite from her box five draw.

On the second line of betting at $5.50 is Savage Victor (box four) for trainer Pat Ryan, the son of Sh Avatar looking to turn the tables on the favourite, having finished runner-up to her in the opening two rounds of the series.

As is the case with a number of trainers engaged in Thursday night's final, Ryan is no stranger to success in the maiden feature, responsible for 2018 series winner Hunkapapa.

Veteran trainer Butch Deverell, who has 26.29 semi-final winner Inner Circle drawn in box three, won the race back in 1983 with Our Sharlene, while Sue Gittus, who lines up Jalla General from box eight, is chasing a third series win, tasting success previously with Origin Bale (2001) and Son Of Addis (2008).

First run in 1949, the Hobart Maiden Thousand always unearths a hot crop of talented youngsters and from what we've witnessed thus far, the class of 2020 looks to be no different.