Paws Placegetters Primed For Bathurst Cup Duel

TRAINER Mick Hardman observed all he needed to when he trialled Bathurst Cup hopeful Zulu Warlord at the track for the first time last week.

"I gave him a post-to-post and he railed and handled the track well," Hardman said.

"To be honest I don't even know what time he ran. But I was told the track was a bit slow and he ran what free for all dogs' run.

"That was all I needed to hear. He's on song and ready to go."

Zulu Warlord tackles heat two of the Group 3 Ladbrokes Bathurst Gold (520m) on Monday from box five.

The son of Fernando Bale enters the series off a career best performance when finishing third to Wow in the Paws Of Thunder last time out at Wentworth Park.

Finishing second in the group 1 feature was the Jodie Lord-trained Winlock On Top which is drawn box four up against Zulu Warlord on Monday.

And while the two group 1 placegetters are set to match motors, the heat has been robbed of plenty of intrigue with the scratching of  2019 Million Dollar Chase winner Good Odds Harada.

"Zulu Warlord's going as good as ever," Hardman offered.

"He has that genuine high speed which you need if you want to be in those big races – especially at Wentworth Park. He's only had 16 starts and keeps getting better."

Tab.com.au have installed Winlock On Top the $2 favourite for Monday's second heat just ahead of Zulu Warlord at $2.30.

The first qualifier of the $25,000-to-the-winner series has local sprinter Still Blue holding favouritism for trainer Paul Roach at $2.70.

In a competitive heat, Fire On Ice ($3.4), Fast Eddie Cargo ($4) and Spritely Ebony ($4.2) are all considered genuine winning chances.

The third and final heat sees Lismore Cup winner Fire Legend the dominant odds-on favourite in early markets at $1.60.

Trained by Mark Moroney, Fire Legend makes his Bathurst debut from box five up against last start Orange Cup winner Prancing Diva in box six.

FIELDS & FORM BATHURST MONDAY