News
2 November, 2023
Fields Revealed For Group 1 Topgun Double
The select fields to contest the Group 1 Sportsbet Topgun Sprint (525m) and Group 1 Sportsbet Topgun Stayers (730m) at The Meadows on Saturday week have been revealed.
Headlining the names for the $150,000-to-the-winner Topgun Sprint is champion bitch Wow She’s Fast which will make her highly anticipated return in the invitational showpiece as she looks to launch one final spring campaign. By the time the boxes open for the Topgun it will have been 177 days since the sport’s all-time greatest prizemoney earner has faced the starter, the three-time group 1 winning, two-time The Phoenix winning superstar last seen when falling in the Group 1 Sapphire Crown at Sandown Park in May.
Atop of pre-box draw betting for the Topgun is Jason Thompson’s in form sprinter Alpha Zulu while the premier conditioner is also represented by Adelaide Cup hero Transponder. Also among the selections for the race is Million Dollar Chase winner Jay Is Jay, Brisbane Cup victor Elite Machine, Group 1 Maturity Classic winner Launch Code, Adelaide Cup runner-up Big Energy and young up and comer Schillaci, winner of the Group 3 SA Derby.
First reserve for the rich event is Group 1 National Sprint winner Saige Tenniele while the second reserve is National Futurity/Black Top winner Nangar Lucy.
In the Topgun Stayers, two-time Group 1 winning powerhouse Palawa King heads into the contest with the best credentials, but will have no shortage of challengers for the $75,000 first prize in his bid to return to winning form for trainer Jack Smith.
Gifted youngster Like Wildfire, last seen in early September, booked himself a place on the back of three brilliant Victorian victories, while NSW starlets Ritza Piper and Zipping Vanessa, along with exciting Queensland up and comer Valpolicella, have also secured places in the coveted line-up.
Grand campaigner Moraine Suzie returns to defend her 2022 Topgun Stayers title while Sandown Cup heroine Untapped, third in the race last year, has also secured a place for trainer Dustin Drew.
Rounding out the Topgun Stayers field is rising star Zoha Bale which has won three of his four starts at The Meadows 730m journey, including a group 3 triumph in the Topgun Video Cup in September.
The box draws for the two races will be conducted during Monday night’s Hume Cup/Silver Bullet meeting at The Meadows.