Vamoose In Last Ditch Thunderbolt Bid

PIN-UP NSW sprinter Vamoose will need to do it the hard way if he's to qualify for the semi-finals of the world's richest short-course race, The Thunderbolt, at Grafton on June 18.

An early favourite for the $75,000-to-the-winner series which culminates at Grafton on June 24, Vamoose started a piping hot favourite in a Gosford qualifier last Tuesday night in his bid to secure an all important semi-final berth.

FIELDS AND FORM GRAFTON SUNDAY

But following an uncustomary tardy getaway, Vamoose, winner at 27 of his 50 career starts, was never in the hunt, forcing his Branxton based owner-trainer Sue Smith to resort to Plan B to keep her The Thunderbolt dreams alive.

"Luckily he can still go to the heats at Grafton this Sunday but we'll need to work on him the next few days as he's got a few sore spots that need attention here and there," Smith said.

Popular chaser Vamoose was a big winner of the Maitland Supporters Club Gold Collar Final last night!

Full Results: https://t.co/mjfSTN2iKe

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"He couldn't have picked a worse time to make a meal of things. He's generally so reliable. But thankfully he's got a chance to redeem himself in the heats at Grafton."

It was back in March that Smith earmarked the lucrative series for Vamoose, widely considered the most brilliant beginner in training.

"I sent him up to Grafton for a month to give him five starts and he improved the more he went around there," Smith said.

"I thought doing that would give him every chance at the pointy end of the series. Hopefully we can get back on track on Sunday and get to the semi-finals."

Smith and partner John Miles will look to further bolster their The Thunderbolt hopes with a three-strong contingent in Friday night's heats at Richmond.

Laurie's Alonso (race 6, box 7), Blue Jean (race 7, box 2) and Johnny Red (race 8, box 8) will fly the flag for the team in what loom as extremely competitive heats.

"They are all going to Richmond fit and healthy," Smith said.

"Johnny (Red) is well drawn out in box eight and he's raced really well at Richmond in the past. But the other two have really good chances as well."

With The Thunderbolt heats already staged at Wagga, Bulli, Gosford and Taree, heats today at Goulburn and Richmond along with qualifiers over the weekend at Dubbo and Grafton will decide the final 32 semi-finalists.