The Jason Mackay team believe Impress Lleyton can make the most of box one and qualify for the $130,000 Country Challenge Final at The Gardens on Friday.
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Eight $10,000 heats will be held across eight tracks and the winners make the June 26 final at Wentworth Park.
Richmond Vale trainer Mackay holds a strong hand in The Gardens heat (515m) with Impress Lleyton and Aston Reward (box eight).
"Box one helps and he's won three for three there [over the trip]," Mackay's daughter, April, said of Impress Lleyton.
"The two [Storm Bay] has no speed and the three [Showtime Jack] chases the leader. The four [Bones McCoy] is a good dog but he can bomb the start. If ours does begin, he'll probably catch a break down the back.
"Aston Reward is no slouch either."
"She's a box one or box eight bandit. If she begins, she'll be hard to beat as well because she's 33 and half kilos."
Impress Lleyton has won all three runs over The Gardens 515 but he has been racing over shorter trips recently. He stepped up to 520m at Wentworth Park last start and was third.
"If [Bones McCoy] gets close to me, he'll probably get me because he's had the proper ks. Ours has had only one 500, but this will be perfect tomorrow - box one helps and The Gardens is a lot easier track."
Craig Kerry
Craig Kerry is a sports reporter for the Newcastle Herald.
Craig Kerry is a sports reporter for the Newcastle Herald.
