Lightning Trial Has Xerri On Track For Cup Tilt

MILLION Dollar Chase runner-up Xerri makes his Sandown debut on Thursday night in a Melbourne Cup Prelude coming off a lightning quick post-to-post trial at the track.

Trainer Darryl Thomas is staying with leading Victorian conditioner Anthony Azzopardi with a small team of his class gallopers and Xerri stands out off box one on Thursday night against a quality field.

He has not raced since chasing home Handsome Prince in the TAB Million Dollar Chase final at Wentworth Park on October 16 when he was beaten a length and three-quarters.

“I gave him a box-to-box and then a post-to-post so he's had those two looks at the track (Sandown),” said Thomas.

“I'm not sure about the times they have to run down here but he went 22.80 post to post and Anthony told me that was flying.”

Thomas is highly pleased with the rails draw for Xerri's Sandown debut but hopes “we haven't used up all our good luck too early”.

He rates the dog potentially the best he has trained but hopes he can improve his box manners.

“He's perfectly boxed on Thursday night off the rails,” he said.

“But he can dwell at the start at times.

“When he begins like I know he can people will get a shock to see what he can run.”

Thomas is in awe of the class of dog chasing down the Melbourne Cup.

“The Million Dollar Chase was a good race, but gee everywhere I look in these Melbourne Cup Preludes there are super hot dogs,” he said.

Among the army of top flight chasers Xerri could meet in the Cup heats slated for Friday week is MDC winner Handsome Prince.

Trainer Peter Lagogiane has booked the son of Sh Avatar in to trial between races at Sandown on Thursday night while his Million Dollar Chase consolation winner Shetland will contest the opening Cup prelude.

Also among the Thomas team in Victoria is unbeaten pup Fernando Hunter (Fernando Bale-Mrs Mouse) which is owned by leading Sydney jockey Brenton Avdulla.

He makes his Victorian debut from box three in a 450m 6/7 grade at Ballarat on Wednesday night.

Thomas makes no secret of the fact he believes Fernando Hunter is on target to be as good as Xerri.

“He's had a couple of looks at Ballarat,” said Thomas.

“But this trip is a learning experience for him. His target will be the Silver Chief later in the year. The dog has a lot of growing up to do. He's got a few bad manners but I believe racing will get that out of him.”

Thomas says Avdulla is embracing the excitement of having a potentially top class greyhound.

“He's right into this dog,” said Thomas.

“He rings all the time to see how he is and that's fabulous.

“This dog is as good as Xerri. Of course he's got to keep improving, but I'm confident he will.”