First Stride To Decide Open Beef Week Cup

OWNER-trainer Mick Landrigan reckons the first stride or two will tell if his smart Casino performer Blazing Bob can win Friday's final of the Beef Week Cup (484m).

“It is all down to what Commands Respect does early,” said Mick.

“It likes to get off the track.”

FIELDS AND FORM CASINO FRIDAY

With in-form Blazing Bob (Aston Dee Bee-Len's Pick) on his outside in the three that is a worry.

“Anything can happen in races at Casino,” said Mick.

“So it all depends on what happens at the start.”

Landrigan bought Blazing Bob as one of two pups from the litter.

“I gave $5000 for him and a littermate,” he said.

“I had raced a brother to his mother Len's Pick.”

That bitch had won 13 races in a 52-start career and she is a daughter of the 22-time winner Lucky Fina a finalist in the Gosford Cup.

Mick has three in training and two pups on their way through.

“I've been training for 50 years and if Blazing Bob happened to win the Beef Week Cup it would be the biggest race I've won,” he said.

Blazing Bob has started 43 times for 17 wins and earned $38,000.

“No special plans for him after this,” said Mick. “He will go back to Casino. He loves the place.”

Blazing Bob downed Gypsy Joker to win his heat last week in 27.83.

Visitor Go Bears was quickest of the heats when downing Rapid Ripple in 27.61.