Bit Flash Primed For Bold Black Top Showing

TRAINER Mick Clayton is hoping to have the last laugh when his prodigious talent Bit Flash takes his place in Friday night's Group 2 Sires On Ice Black Top Final (515m) at Ladbrokes Gardens.

An eye-catching half-length second to fastest qualifier Aston Duke in a flying 29.37 last Friday night, Bit Flash's claims for the $40,000 to-the-winner finale have been largely ignored by bookies, with Beteasy installing the son of Barcia Bale at a generous $17.00.

In comparison, Aston Duke, with the benefit of box one, is quoted a firm $2.65 favourite for leading local trainer Jason Mackay.

"I thought his heat effort was the run of the night," declared Clayton on Tuesday.

"To be honest, I can't believe the odds he is for the final … it's a bit of a slap in the face actually, the dog isn't getting the attention he deserves for some reason. You look at his record, that run was no fluke."

Winner at 12 of his 21 appearances, including a crushing track record breaking performance at Wagga over the 400 metres, Clayton has declared his 26-month old sprinter spot on to tackle his maiden group race final this Friday night.

"He's come out of the heat in great order – I couldn't be happier with him," Clayton beamed.

"We work ‘em pretty hard here but we backed off him going into last Friday and we've done the same again this week to keep him fresh. He had a gallop on Sunday and went nice … he's feeling great and is rock hard fit now."

In a race chock-full of talent, Clayton has warned punters not to undersell his gun youngster's chances, adamant the $17.00 currently on offer belies his true prospects.

"There's no way he's a $17.00 chance," Clayton added.

"If you look at his heat run he was probably a bit unlucky. He baulked off Aston Duke going through the catching pen and ran him to less than a length at the finish. The winner ran home in 12.25 so I worked out my bloke's gone 12.11.

"I haven't got to the bottom of him yet and he's still got improvement. If he can run up to what he did on Friday or even find a length he's right in it."

In what promises to be a gripping spectacle this Friday night, following Aston Duke in betting is the Darren Sultana-trained Black Forge at $4.00 from box eight, the son of Fabregas landing his heat in 29.61. Good Odds Buddy, a 29.50 heat winner over Double Back, is a $5.00 chance from box two for Frank Hurst.

Rounding out the runners under double figure odds is inaugural Million Dollar Chase winner Mystic Riot from box four, currently at $6.50 for Peter Lagogiane.

And while Clayton isn't over the moon with Bit Flash's box five draw, he's confident he'll hold a straight line from the boxes at the all important start.

"I was hoping for the inside with the idea they'd have to cross him but it will come down to how he begins and luck early," Clayton pointed out.

"Friday's heat was the dog's third look at The Gardens. He's the kind of dog at this stage that needs a few looks at a track to his straps.

"His first trial there he went 5.03 early and 29.87 and at his second go he stumbled out and went 5.09 but still went 29.77. He went 4.95 early in the heat and I've got no doubt he can go low 4.90s if he fires out, which he can."

After Friday night's Black Top decider, Clayton will turn his attention to the lucrative TAB Million Dollar Chase Series with Bit Flash, his charge already a sub-30 Wentworth Park winner.

"I was talking to his owner Trevor Rhodes yesterday and he said the breed don't generally get to their best until they're 2 ½ … there's no doubt this dog is still improving," Clayton added.

"I'm not sure if he's an out and out consistent-group race dog or not yet but he's definitely up to winning a group race.

"After Friday we'll head towards the Nowra qualifiers of the Million Dollar Chase … he flies around there.

"If you win a heat and final of that it's $7,000 right there and you're a bit of luck away from racing for a million dollars."