Pure Burst storms home to win its heat of the Group 1 Sapphire Crown at Sandown Park last Thursday.OXLEY Gazelle, which set Sandown Park alight in last week’s heats of the Group 1 Sapphire Crown Classic, will miss the final after suffering a career-threatening injury.
The $1.50 favourite, which became the fastest bitch ever to race at Sandown Park after her effortless win in the World Class Sires, shattered her elbow in an accident in the catching pen.
Oxley Gazelle’s 29.67-second heat win was the fastest of the night, and she is likely to be replaced in the final by runner-up Cash Up ($6.40), which finished seven lengths adrift.
Group 1 Laurels winner Pure Burst won a thrilling race with Paul Bartolo’s exciting young bitch Leprechaun Pace.
Jumping from boxes one and eight respectively, the $2.20 equal favourites raced neck and neck for the entire 515-metre journey, Wayne Vassallo’s consistent star prevailing by a head on the line in 29.98 seconds.
The Vassallo-trained chaser is now in line for the $10,000 bonus on offer for the Laurels-Sapphire Crown Classic double after she sensationally won the Group 1 Laurels in June.
Betty’s Angel ($1.50 favourite) scored an impressive victory in 29.82 seconds after drawing unfavourably in box seven, and will need to repeat the dose to claim victory in the final after again drawing the black box.
Three lengths away was Why Not Gail ($12.70), her time good enough to join the victor in the final.
Elgrando Gold ($2.30 favourite) resumed from an eight-week lay off to win her heat in 30.12 seconds in a master training performance by Carolyne Jones.
Also making next week’s final is the exciting Ja Ja ($2.30 favourite), which won her heat in an impressive 29.92, and Dosses Angel ($4.50), which proved too strong in the run to the line, winning in 30.21.
The fastest run of the night belonged to Sky Channel Topgun winner Jaimandy Coops ($1.60 favourite), which again displayed brilliant speed to win in a slick 29.62 seconds, 3.75 lengths clear of Andy Palmer ($3.60).
Paul Donohue will now send his superstar towards the $50,000 winner-takes-all Group 2 Shootout at Sandown Park on 16 November.
Sapphire Crown Classic night is ladies’ night at Sandown Park, with all women receiving free entry and free pamper services through the night.
