Charles Hanging On To Slim Topgun Hope

WA trainer Kody Charles has not given up on the slimmest of hopes of making Saturday night's Group 1 Topgun at The Meadows and declares his bitch is “airborne”.

Kody admitted he was bitterly disappointed the G1 National Sprint winner did not get a start in the Topgun field instead of being named a reserve.

“I was devastated she did not get straight into the Topgun,” said Kody. “Especially when she won the Group 1 National Sprint on their own track (The Meadows).

“I will fly over with her on Thursday and if she does not get a run from the reserves, I will trial her around Sandown on Sunday.

“I'd expect her to go 29.20 and I'm hoping to get her into the Shootout.

“But, if she doesn't get into that race, then she will have to go into a Melbourne Cup Prelude.

“Not that she needs to qualify for the heats of the Cup, but she will need a race to prepare her for the heats.”

Kody pointed out that last year's Topgun was won by Photo Man after he gained a start as a reserve.

He said Saige Tenniele is “airborne”.

“When she came back from the Million Dollar Chase at Wenty, we rushed her to get into the All Stars,” he said.

“I did some bloods on her after that and fixed up an issue and since then she is going fantastic.

“I publically trialled her 380 metres at Cannington and the track record is 21.47 but she trialled 21.43.

“Then two weeks ago I slipped her post to post and Tommy Shelby held the record at 23.78 but she went 23.75.

“Since then Sneaky Peaky has gone 23.73 but only last Thursday I trialled our bitch and she went 23.70.”

Kody says the bitch is a fabulous traveller.

“I'm so disappointed about missing out on the Topgun and know what Jason Thompson is feeling after Umberto did not get into the race as well,” said Kody.

“She is as good as them.”

Meanwhile, Kody will have one runner at the opening night on Thursday of the revamped Mandurah track, Simplicity in 300m FFA.

“The track looks great,” he said.

“I trialled there Saturday morning and I'm sure the surface will settle down as more racing and trialling are conducted.”

Mandurah's revamp has seen racing halted at the circuit since March.

“I trialled Simplicity there and he went 17.12 and the best of the day was 17.08 and that was a really good dog,” he said.

“Everyone has been heading to Mandurah to trial.”