Speed Machines To Lock Horns In Thunderbolt

BRILLIANT sprinter Badger's Beast assumed the number 1 seed for The Ladbrokes Thunderbolt (350m) with a sublime heat display at Grafton last Sunday night for trainer Peter Lagogiane.

Stepping out after going down narrowly in the Group 2 Straight Of Origin in Queensland a week earlier, Badger's Beast was at his awesome best in his The Thunderbolt qualifier, stopping the clock in a near record 19.57 to put his rivals to the sword.

Only 2023 Thunderbolt runner-up Rushforth Ally has recorded quicker time at Grafton when setting the record at a mesmerising 19.52 in one of his many wins at the northern rivers venue.

FIELDS AND FORM GRAFTON SUNDAY

But while the record mark is within reach for Badger's Beast, trainer Peter Lagogiane declared finishing top two and qualifying for the $40,000-to-the-winner final will be the sole aim when the prolific winner steps out in semi-final two on Sunday.

"He hasn't drawn well (in four) and is in one of the tougher if not toughest semi-finals so there's a bit against him," Lagogiane said.

"With the way things have fallen we just want to qualify for the final and give ourselves a chance a week later.

"The dog is at his peak. His run at Capalaba was very good and he'll improve a bit from that Grafton hit-out as well. From box four, he just needs that stride or two of clear air early."

Badger's Beast, a son of Lagogiane's former gun chaser Beast Unleashed, has won 21 of his 34 career starts, almost exclusively in best of meeting times at a variety of tracks.

Since June last year he's been on a winning rampage, winning 16 of his 20 appearances, including 10 at Maitland where he boasts an unblemished record.

While Sunday's Thunderbolt heat win was the fawn flyer's first official start at Grafton, he's no stranger to the track, gaining experience there with his Grafton-based owner David Grundy before heading to Lagogiane's western Sydney kennels. 

And he'll likely need to call on that advantage in what looms as a spirited semi-final with sharp shooters like Fusion Mint and prolific winning Victorian, Serial Sticker now with Michelle Sultana, there to keep him honest. 

"Fusion Mint has won a Maitland Cup and Serial Sticker is a Group 1 placegetter that can run record times so it's a quality semi," Lagogiane added.

"It might prove to be harder than the final."

In what looms as a mouthwatering clash, early markets see Serial Sticker the $2 favourite ahead of Badger's Beast at $2.40.

The opening semi-final will see Richmond record holder Flash Jet take his place from box eight as a warm favourite after trialling at the track in a slick 19.73 last Sunday.