GRADUATES of the Richmond The Thunderbolt qualifiers dominated Sunday night’s semi-finals of the world’s richest sprint series.
With the 32 semi-final hopefuls qualifying from regional heats at a number of different tracks, it was heat winners from Richmond which stood tallest, with Speeding Fine, Johnny Red and Running Reds all successful.
The remaining semi-final winner, series favourite Vamoose, qualified after scoring in the Grafton qualifiers last Sunday after being bundled out of the Gosford series just five days earlier.
It’s going to HUGE at Grafton next Saturday for the final of the world’s richest short-course race, the GRNSW Thunderbolt ⚡!
Club president John Corrigan gives us a sneak peek of what’s in store… and a cheeky tip!#thedogs #TheThunderbolt #thunderbolt pic.twitter.com/7DFbK2cf0I
— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) June 18, 2023
Setting the pace for the $75,000-to-the-winner decider is the John Miles-trained Johnny Red which posted a slick 19.89 to defeat Cash Destroyer by three-quarters of a length.
The son of Hooked On Scotch’s final hopes were only enhanced at the box draw with the 12-time winner drawing box one, while his close relation Vamoose, a 20.23 semi-final winner after overcoming early drama, will exit box two.
In the opening semi-final all-the-rage was WA superstar Crumble Monelli but it was the hugely exciting Speeding Fine which scored for veteran conditioner Hank Vanderburg.
Speeding Fine – a son of Zambora Brockie and Mystic Quality – extended his record to 13 wins from 15 appearances with a gritty three-quarter length win over Return Mac before drawing box seven in the finale where he can make his presence felt.
Here’s the all-important box draw for the GRNSW Thunderbolt ⚡ run next Saturday at Grafton!
So… who wins the $75,000 prize? 🤔#thedogs #TheThunderbolt #Thunderbolt @ladbrokescomau @tabcomau @sportsbetcomau @TopSport_com_au @NedsAus @BlueBetAu @PalmerbetAU pic.twitter.com/LFjKB6yZPi
— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) June 18, 2023
The third semi-final produced an upset result with Running Reds scoring at 25/1 for Richmond conditioner John Grief.
The 10-time winner only received a late call-up into the qualifiers after initially being second reserve but the son of Pindari Express made full use of the chance, showing his sizzling early speed to set up a race winning lead.
Saturday’s The Thunderbolt finale at Grafton will see a big crowd in attendance where the entertainment off the track will match that on the track.