Big Flood sent an ominous warning to his fellow top line competitors with a dominant win in Thursday night’s Australian Sprint at Sandown Park.
Sent to the boxes as the $1.80 favourite, Big Flood began fairly as his obvious challenger Dundee Osprey completely blew the start.
Early splits of 5.03 and 18.58 had Big Flood leading clearly, a strong run home secured victory in a flying 29.18.
Prior to the race Big Flood looked hard to beat from box one however trainer Jason Thompson had concerns.
“I was a bit worried about the draw. He’s had the red once before at Sale and blew the start, even though he began well here last week I still had that in the back of mind.
“He didn’t begin brilliantly but came out with them and was able to push through at the turn.
“We couldn’t have asked for much more from him,” said Thompson.
The win was Big Flood’s eighth from nine career starts and boosted his prize money tally to $42,104.
“I really think the track at Sandown suits him.
“With Derby and Futurity heats at Wentworth Park, Perth Cup heats and Warragul Cup on it probably took a little bit out of the race.
“It was a race at the right time for him, a good test this early on in his career.”
Big Flood is owned by the Unique Lolly Syndicate headed by his breeder Des Douch.
“Apprentice jockey Brandon Stockdale is in the syndicate, his dad Frank and a mate of mine Des Douch.
“Big Flood comes from the first litter they’ve ever bred – they bred him, reared him and have obviously done a really good job.”
Earlier in the night Lithgow Panther took out the Maidment Memorial.
After settling last early on he navigated his way to third down the back straight before he took the lead turning for home.
He held off the fast finishing Zipping Zeus in the closing stages to win by 3/4 of a length in 34.30.
Britton kennel representative and handler on the night Jason Ireland was in awe of Lithgow Panther, or Toby as he’s known to connections.
“He’s a true 600m dog and he proved that tonight against a really good field – he picked them up with ease.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had the privilege to handle in a feature race like this so it’s a great thrill,” said Ireland.
The action wasn’t confined to the track, with Australian rock legend Angry Anderson performing for the big crowd.
