Flynn Fit And Firing For Launching Pad

PRODIGIOUS talent Flynn will start favourite for Thursday night's Group 2 Launching Pad Final (515m) at Sandown Park after drawing the coveted rails alley for the $150,000 to-the-winner feature.

Furthermore, in news that's sure to be music to the ears of favourite punters, trainer Harry Manolitsis told the Recorder earlier this week that his star son of Kinloch Brae couldn't be any better leading into Thursday's rich decider.

"I'm very pleased with how he has come through last week – the dog's very well, perfect," declared Manolitsis.

"Two turn racing is a completely different style so I was delighted to see how he handled himself and got to the line last week from the heats. You can never complain drawing the red and he'll get every chance from there on Thursday.

"The main thing is that he holds his ground early, whether he leads or not. But he's ready to go, he's had a few slips up our straight this week – everything is in order."

Winner of his semi-final last Thursday in a fast 29.38, Flynn was put away by Manolitsis for the Launching Pad after landing the Derby at Ballarat in mid-February, his sixth career victory, the cut off for Launching Pad eligibility.

"When you are racing for this kind of prizemoney you are going to be taking on some very good dogs and that's the case this week," added Manolitsis.

"Glenn Rounds' dog (Curt Lee) has very good speed and the seven (Tauwitchere) won its heat off that box in fast time. Then there's the fastest qualifier (Lucy's Milo) that's obviously very good as well. It's a hot race, as you'd expect."

Setting the pace for Thursday's final is the Andrea Dailly-trained Lucy's Milo, the son of Dyna Double One an explosive 29.17 semi-final winner.

Dailly landed another semi-final with 29.80 victor Jaro Bale, while Curt Lee led all-the-way in his qualifier for Glenn Rounds in 29.93.

As luck would have it, the four semi-final winners have drawn boxes one to four in the final.

Taking the Victorian racing scene by storm since his debut last November, Flynn has won seven of his 10 starts, with the November 2016 whelp responsible for breaking the great Fernando Bale's Bendigo track record after just a handful of starts, running a remarkable 23.37.

Interestingly, three trainers contesting Thursday night's Group 2 Launching Pad have tasted success in the feature before.

In 2015, Usain I'm Nutty won the race for Andrea Dailly, while in 2017, Suffragette, who has recently whelped a litter of pups to Fernando Bale, landed the event for Steve White.

Last year, Beast Unleashed claimed the $150,000 to-the-winner event for Peter and Jodie Lagogiane, the pair lining up Federal Impact for Thursday night's Sandown feature, 48 hours prior to his litter sister Federal Lilly contesting Saturday night's Golden Easter Egg Final at Wentworth Park.