Storm Brewing Ahead Of Maturity Classic Heats

PAUL Abela says Aston Thunder's exasperating run of bad box draws couldn't have ended at a better time heading into Saturday night's heats of the KCR Pet Transport Maturity Classic (525m) at The Meadows.

The fashionably bred son of Barcia Bale and Aston Chanel will exit the coveted rails alley in a star-studded heat six, the first time he's worn the red rug in his 14 start career.

"Drawing the red gives him a chance … had he drawn wide he'd of been a million to one in that field," said Abela.

"I'm as confident as you can be going into the race knowing you don't have the quickest dog. I'd say my dog can run around the 29.90 mark but Squiggle Keeping (2) and Hard Style Rico (3) can go quicker. So I'm relying on a bit of luck as well which from the red he's a chance of getting."

Aston Thunder goes into Saturday night's group 1 heats as the winner at five of his 14 starts with a further five minors, his eight appearances at The Meadows resulting in three wins and four placings.

Included in those wins at The Meadows were slick 30.06 and 30.08 efforts to begin his career, the second of those claiming the scalp of Jax Bale, one of the major players in betting for the $100,000 to-the-winner Maturity Classic.

SATURDAY NIGHT FIELDS & FORM FOR THE MEADOWS

"He won his first start off the six and was showing real good speed as a pup but he lost his way towards the end of April so Ray (Borda) and I decided to turn him out," explained Abela.

"The break did him the world of good and he's come back great. I thought his run to finish second at The Meadows last week was very good and it was after that we decided to give him a shot at this race. But it's a hot series.

"If Squiggle Keeping and Hard Style Rico come together at the start and my dog makes use of box one I'm confident he can run a race. He's fit and well; I couldn't be happier with him."

Enjoying a successful run with his formidable team, Abela unearthed an exciting youngster at Ballarat on Wednesday night in the regally bred Aston Ulysses.

"I wish Ray would send me dogs with names easier to pronounce," chuckled Abela.

"But in all seriousness, I reckon we are going to see a really nice pup when he's got five to 10 runs under his belt. He's ticking all the boxes."

A son of first season sire Aston Dee Bee and champion stayer Sweet It Is, Aston Ulysses made his debut a winning one when landing his heat of the GRV Vic Bred Maiden Series (450m) in 25.59.

"He's 37 kilos but he's got plenty of box speed," Abela said.

"Because he only won by a head the other night people think he's weak but he broke 15 seconds running home and had to work hard to get to the front. And the second dog was a great run.

"When I got him after break-in he didn't have the raps the rest in the litter have but I think he's going to turn out to be a real nice dog.

"He's got box three in the final and I give him a good chance.

"The first time I trialled him at Bendigo he went 23.76 and before the heats at Ballarat he went 21.94 and 8.44 early over the 390. He's very promising.

"Ray's a big supporter of mine so it's great to have a few handy ones for him. Hopefully we can have some luck Saturday night. Box one gives him a chance.”