GARY Streatfield and Jonny Sledzianowski will have half the field between them for the Armidale Cup on Saturday after the visiting trainers took a win and a place each, both with full siblings, in the three hotly-contested heats last weekend.
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While the two trainers will have good chances, the favourite will be Albert Zarb’s Specs Valley who finished six lengths quicker than the next best qualifier to win the first in front of Streatfield’s Miss Glenreagh.
Greta trainer Sledzianowski’s Altered Crusher took out the second heat in front of Peter Dunne’s Spring Firechief, before Streatfield nailed the final heat with Kay Oh.
Sledzianowski’s other chance, Altered Mist, finished third in the first and fastest heat, and with first and second from each heat qualifying and then the next best two times, Altered Mist should have snuck through to line up alongside his full brother.
Armidale president Garry Carson said Sledzianowski had never been to the track before so some improvement should be expected from his dogs next week.
“If that is their first run on the track they can only be better for it next week,” Carson said.
“I know that he (Sledzianowski) was pretty happy with himself.”
Streatfield would have also been over the moon, the Clarence Valley trainer nailing two spots with his two full sisters Miss Glenreagh and Kay Oh.
“We have also got a dog from Peter Dunne who is a Queensland trainer,” Carson said.
“It will be a pretty good field.”
The Cup day will consist of four finals including the AGRC Cup, the Mitchell Family Sprint, and the AGRC 1-4 Wins, as well as the maiden, but will also have six other races with prize money of $500 for the winner.
“The big finals and extra purse ensures we get good noms,” Carson said.
“There are four finals and six really good other races.”
He believes Specs Valley will be hard to beat in the Cup.
“Specs Valley will be the short priced favourite and one to beat.”
Carson said the final field should be one of the strongest seen for a few years after being overwhelmed with nominations right through the carnival, with plenty more expected this week.
“Some clubs are struggling but we got 125 noms for the first week and 135 for this week,” Carson said.
“It was many more than I expected and, as a result, we have some quality fields for the finals on Saturday.”
Gates open next week at midday with the first race to start at 1pm.
