One Hot Bandit Set For Magic Maiden Onslaught

HE'S been dubbed arguably the most exciting young maiden prospect to be unearthed in years.

But for the insanely gifted One Hot Bandit, favourite for Saturday night's Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden Final (520m) at Wentworth Park, it is a case of what almost never was.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

Last August, when trainer Andy Lord sent a young One Hot Bandit and his brother Red Hot Bandit down to Victoria to round out their early education, a car accident left the fate of the duo in limbo.

"I received a call from the transporter to say there'd been an accident and that a few of the dogs in the trailer were in a bad way but they didn't know which ones at the time," Lord reflected.

Team Lord are off to a cracking start with two impressive winners in the https://t.co/zcabOfIjSV Magic Maiden heats tonight at @wentyparkgreys!

One Hot Bandit made it a statement win in heat 2 clocking 29.68, while Bandit Bullet won the opener in 30.15.

We caught up with Paul… pic.twitter.com/v72vFhuTtY

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) March 29, 2023

"There was a day or so there that we really didn‘t know whether they'd come through it or not but thankfully they did. It was an anxious time there for a while but it just shows the things that can happen."

Bred in the purple, One Hot Bandit oozes potential.

And in last week's heats he gave racing fans a glimpse of that potential with an effortless 29.68 romp to launch his hugely promising career.

A son of generational sire Barcia Bale, his mother Nino De Oro is responsible for a swag of topliners including group 1 winner Good Odds Cash, while her mother Solar Pak is equally influential, most notably through the deeds of champion brothers Feral Franky and Good Odds Harada.

In Saturday night's Magic Maiden decider, One Hot Bandit will be aiming to deliver Lord a second win in the race after scoring with group 1 winner Bandit Ned in 2021.

Bookmakers have installed him as a warm $2.25 favourite ahead of fellow 29.68 heat winner Zipping Rousey.

And while box eight at Wentworth Park can be a trap for favourite players, Lord is confident that the prodigious talent can get the job done in style.

"Last week's run will do him the world of good," Lord said.

"He has trialled at Wentworth Park in 29.50 odd so it wouldn't surprise me if he put it all together and ran 29.40 in the final.

"I trialled him at Nowra on Monday and he went quicker than (Richmond track record holder) Coin Model so he's feeling great.

"After Saturday I'll take him to Nowra for the Puppy Classic and then Gosford for the Goldmine which is what we did with Bandit Ned.

"I've had some very good dogs over the years and he gives you that good dog feel. At home he's the first to the gate to get out and work. Just very professional in everything he does."

While confident One Hot Bandit will annex Saturday's Magic Maiden with the right run in transit, Lord has earmarked fellow finalist, Bandit Bullet, as a major chance also.

"He's got great speed and box manners," Lord said.

"It wouldn't surprise me to see him run a big race as well."