Fernando Blaster Favourite For Maitland Cup

BET365 have installed fastest qualifier Fernando Blaster favourite for next Thursday's Group 2 Ladbrokes Maitland Gold Cup Final (450m) after drawing box one for the $40,000 to-the-winner decider.

As his name would suggest a son of Fernando Bale, the Terry Jordan-trained sprinter couldn't have been more impressive at his Maitland debut on Thursday, running a sizzling 24.70 to defeat Burning Fuel by 3 ½ lengths.

Winner at 12 of his 25 starts, Fernando Blaster is quoted a $2.15 chance with Bet365, ahead of Hardaway Titan for Ron Marsden,  extending his record to 14 wins from the 15 starts with his 24.86 success.

The son of Barcia Bale will exit box five for the final and is a $3.50 chance, along with second reserve Pindari Express, the track record holder a phenomenal second in his heat to Call My Ugo in 24.89.

Smart heat winner Black Forge is priced a $5.50 third favourite for Darren Sultana, the son of Fabregas hugely impressive running down last year's Maitland Cup hero Aston Duke, Jason Mackay's charge quoted a $26.00 chance to make it back-to-back cup victories.

Warragul Cup winner Dyna Hunter has been quoted a $7.00 chance following his 25.01 heat victory on Thursday, the son of Dyna Villa considered a live chance from box three with the benefit of a look at the track.

2019 Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup – 450m

1. Fernando Blaster         – $2.15
2. Call Me Ugo                     – $16.00
3. Dyna Hunter                   – $7.00
4. Aston Duke                     – $26.00
5. Hardaway Titan           – $3.50
6. Black Forge                     – $5.50
7. Burning Fuel                    – $26.00
8. Corykodi                            – $7.00
9. Flying Apollo                   – $34.00
10. Pindari Express          – $3.50