APG 2yo Final - Jasper the favourite despite difficult draw

14 August 2020 | Paul Courts

[ADVERTISED CONTENT]
Logo

PREMIER trainer Grant Dixon will be represented at both ends of the betting scale in Saturday night’s Australian Pacing Gold Final at Albion Park.

Dixon has three runners in the Group One which is for graduates of APG’s Brisbane Sale, including heat winner Jasper.

Triumphant in the Group One Qbred Final at her previous start, Jasper led throughout her qualifier to register a soft 10-metre win in 1:55.8 over 1660 metres.

As such the daughter of Mach Three has been listed as a $2.10 favourite despite her difficult draw.

To be driven by Dixon, Jasper will begin from the inside of the second row.

“The draw hasn’t been the kindest to her,” Dixon said. “If she’d drawn one to five I would have considered her a $1.40 shot.

“On paper she still deserves to be favourite, but she will need a bit of luck from there.

“Not so much that she needs good luck to be a chance to win, more that she needs some luck to make sure she gets a clear go at them from the draw.”

Also drawn the back line, Central Ark is the rank outsider at $201.

The gelding is winless from five starts, with a pair of thirds his best results.

“He will certainly need luck on his side,” Dixon said. “Again the draw hasn’t done him any favours.”

In between the pair is Chamonix, with the son of Hes Watching also set to begin from the second row.

With Dixon’s wife Trista in the cart Chamonix was successful in his heat to take his record to three wins and four placings from 10 starts.

Equal second favourite at $4.50, Chamonix will once again be driven by Trista.

New South Wales-based filly Our Ultimate Bonny is the other $4.50 shot from barrier three.

“Chamonix is a handy type and more than capable of winning,” Dixon said. “It will come down to what kind of run he gets on the night.

 

Related News

27 May 2026
LISTEN: Dan and Rob preview Ballarat
Thanks to the support of the Flying Horse Entertainment Venue, Dan Mielicki and Rob Auber preview the May 28 meeting at Bray Raceway. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE AT THETROTS.COM.AU
27 May 2026
Wharton: Heathcote breeder's passion continues to grow
Retired Heathcote builder and beef cattle farmer John Gilmore is embracing his passion for breeding, steadily increasing his broodmare numbers in retirement. “I started out with only one or two mares, but since retiring I have developed a bigger passion for breeding,” Gilmore said. He is...
27 May 2026
GOODFORM – Bronte's take on Wednesday night at Bendigo
Bronte Nieuwenburg has done the form for Wednesday night at Bendigo. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL FORM AT THETROTS.COM.AU
27 May 2026
Barton legacy rolls on with Jack's first win at Wagga
Memories of the late great Vin Knight came flooding back at Wagga last Friday. When 16-year-old Jack Barton snared the first driving win of his career aboard Smack Bang Bart in a heat of the rich Nutrien Sales series, his father Gary Barton said it reminded him of the buzz he got as a young fella watching...
26 May 2026
Leap To Fame returns to chase third Inter Dominion crown
EVEN Grant Dixon is surprised how amazing his champion pacer Leap To Fame feels as he prepares for a return to racing aimed at a third Inter Dominion crown. Despite being deep into his seven-year-old season and a veteran of 87 starts (for an incredible 68 wins), Dixon insists Leap To Fame is “at...
Click for more