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

17 July 2026
HRNSW and Tabcorp strengthen long-term partnership to support the future of NSW harness racing
Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) today announced that it has reached agreement with Tabcorp on a number of significant initiatives that will strengthen the long-term commercial position of the NSW harness racing industry and provide greater certainty for participants, clubs and stakeholders. The...
17 July 2026
Clare Carroll celebrates maiden driving victory
"HALFWAY down the straight I said to myself 'I'm going to get this' and my heart nearly popped out of my chest." That's how Clare Carroll described the moment she realised she was about to register her initial win in Bathurst on Wednesday night. Having her 10th drive, the Mini...
17 July 2026
Hollywood has surgery after setback
BRAD Hewitt is focusing on a positive out of the devastating setback to Australia’s best three-year-old pacer Hollywood Strip. The NSW Derby winner, who was $1.50 favourite to add tomorrow night’s Group 1 Queensland Derby to his CV, fractured a pastern bone during pace work in preparation...
17 July 2026
Dangerous cleared for ID26 final
INTER Dominion plunge runner Dangerous will face one more precautionary vet check before being cleared to tackle tomorrow night’s $1 million Ladbrokes pacing final at Albion Park. QRIC chief steward Neil Finnigan said the remaining check was “just to be safe” after three vets, two from...
17 July 2026
Dixon wary of Leap To Fame's biggest challenge
GRANT Dixon knows this is Leap To Fame’s biggest test yet. Despite an unrivalled dominance at Albion Park and unbeaten record across three Inter Dominions (seven heats and two finals), Leap To Fame has some damning statistics and wonder mare Captains Mistress to overcome in tonight’s $1 million...
Click for more