Martin Eyes Hobart Breeders Title

RICKY and Sonia Martin are brimming with anticipation heading into Thursday's Tasmanian Breeders Classic Final at Hobart where talented littermates Leica Prayer and She's A Princess clash in the quality decider.

Prepared at Westbury by Sonia's mum Jillian Stamford, classy bitch Leica Prayer set the pace from last week's four semi's, clocking 25.84 from box three, accounting for Devil's Corner and Connected by almost four lengths.

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She's A Princess wasn't far off, running 25.99, holding Sol Domination at bay by 2 ¼ lengths.

"Last Thursday was a great night," said Ricky Martin.

"These pups are getting better all the time, I couldn't be more pleased in their efforts. She's A Princess and Leica Prayer only have a length between them, they are very talented bitches in the making.”

The Dyna Double One x Leica Comet litter has won 16 races between them from 50 starts thus far.

Ricky and Sonia will have four runners in the time-honoured feature on Thursday, the others being from Ricky Ponting's Barcia Bale x Double Bogey litter, with Atley Quick winning his semi over Sprint Gordon by 1 ¼ lengths in 26.20, while Go Shorty qualified when finishing second to Silver Man.

"It has been a very interesting series with some quality pups," Martin added.

"Atley Quick and Go Shorty hadn't seen much of Hobart until the qualifying heats recently, I was really pleased in Got Shorty's run – both are showing plenty of promise."

She's A Princess is the predicted $2.10 favourite from box seven ahead of Thursday's finale with litter sister Leica Prayer second elect at $3.20. Next in the market is promising juvenile Silver Man at $9 for master trainer Ted Medhurst jumping from box eight.

 "The draw is in favour of She's A Princess drawn out wide in seven. She goes straight at box-rise and should get a clean run while Leica Prayer isn't the quickest off the mat though she will find the line," Ricky offered.

"These races like the Breeders Classic are a great incentive to breed where you can be rewarded for all the long hours and time and effort it takes to bring a litter through. 

"We've got some good chances there in the final and just hope one can do it – if we win, we'll be happy whatever the result."

Hobart Breeders Classic Box Draw: Go Shorty 1, Leica Prayer 2, Atley Quick 3, Devil's Corner 4, Sol Domination 5, Sprint Gordon 6, She's A Princess 7, Silver Man 8 / Reserves: Connected and Spanish Cruise.