Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Locally owned and trained Galactic Panther advanced to the semi-finals of the Group 3 Howard Ashton Classic (515 metres) when running third in the first heat at Angle Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Raced by Moorak owner Robert Chuck and trained at Worrolong by Steve Bartholomew, the son of Milldean Panther and Galactic Rumball was beaten 6½ lengths by boom youngster Victa Louise who clocked the quickest of the four heats when running 29.72 seconds.

Victa Louise, a $1.15 favourite, was the only heat winner to break the 30 second barrier although $18 second placegetter Springvale Choix surprised when running her to 1½ lengths and clocking 29.82 seconds.

And after Fabwik ran 30.01 seconds to win the final heat, it was Galactic Panther who was the fourth fastest of the qualifiers with a time of 30.18 seconds.

Breemelia Swift, who ran unplaced behind Galactic Panther earlier this year in the Peter Rocket Summer Classic final at Tara Raceway, caused a boilover when winning heat three at $31 in 30.24 seconds.

Springvale Alysa, the other locally owned and trained classic contender, disappointed for Kongorong trainer John Little when failing to qualify in the second heat, won by Tal Lee in 30.49 seconds.

Semi-finals of the SA-bred paid up series will be run at Angle Park on Thursday, May 24 with the $37,500 final on Thursday, May 31, coinciding with heats of the McQueen feature.

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