Magistrate Boxed For Bold Young Guns Showing

MULTIPLE Ipswich Auction winner, Magistrate, is drawn to suit, but faces his toughest assignment to date when he lines up in the Group 3 Young Guns (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night.

That's the form assessment from one who knows, Magistrate's trainer and long-time form student Greg Stella.

Magistrate (Fernando Bale-Inspired Hope) has drawn box eight in the Young Guns final chasing a $30,000 pay day after winning his heat last week in a slick 29.95.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY

He has already won both the 431m and 520m Ipswich Auction series for a career of 21 starts for 13 wins and $90,000 in stakes.

“The eight is fine for him, but there is a huge amount of early pace in the final,” said Greg.

“I'm not so sure he will have enough pace to lead around the first turn.

“But, that is the case with a number of those in the final, if they don't lead a few of the others can't win.”

Stella is amazed at the improvement in prizemoney for greyhound racing, especially in Queensland in recent times.

“I had a finalist in a Young Guns at Albion Park three years ago and I think the winner got $10,000, or was it $12,000,” he said.

Stella said Magistrate's best attribute is his middle race pace.

“He does struggle home, but that mid-race section is very, very good,” he said.

“He got clear of them last week and that's what won him the race in the heat.”

Of the final, Stella believes Dolly Dutton, from the Andrew Monaghan kennel, is ideally suited off the red.

“She is boxed to get a good run from the rails and that is a big advantage for her,” said Greg.

“She was in the Ipswich Auction final against Magistrate and was stuck along the fence during the race and never got a clear run at them.

“Bear's Bullet also has plenty of early pace and she comes out every time so is going to be hard to beat as well.

“In fact, it is a very hard race to work out.”

Stella said Magistrate would go on to the Group 2 Flying Amy Classic after the Young Guns final.

“He's the right age for it and he deserves to get his chance in the race,” said Greg.

“There is a lot of hype about the Flying Amy again this year but it is a race worth a lot of money and deserves to attract the best young dogs.”