By MICHAEL GUERIN
A nod from the doctor is all that stands between Classic Turbo and a clash with Interdominion champion Shakamaker.
The exciting northern 4-year-old pacer has secured a surprise invite to the $A200,000 Chariots Of Fire in Sydney on May 5.
Not that anybody doubts Classic Turbo is good enough to be in the elite Harold Park feature, it is just a surprise owner-trainer John MacQuibban has chosen to take him.
MacQuibban is undergoing chemotherapy and originally dismissed the Chariots.
Classic Turbo then produced stunning runs in the Taylor Mile and Messenger Pace at the Rowe Cup meeting and MacQuibban was left scratching his head.
"There isn't really anything else on the programme for him here so I started to look at Sydney," he said.
"But he wasn't going to go unless I could take him myself and I needed to get the doctor's approval."
A doctor's note is not the only paperwork MacQuibban will need - a passport might come in handy too.
"I have never had a passport, never needed one. But we got the official invite to the race yesterday and the passport is now being processed."
Classic Turbo will join his Messenger conqueror Pic Me Pockets and Taylor Mile runner-up Pocket Me in the Chariots Of Fire.
But unfortunately for that trio Interdominion Grand Final winner Shakamaker is also on target for the Chariots.
He returns to racing at Echuca on Saturday before going to Sydney.
Classic Turbo will continue his preparation for the trip in a 3200m standing start event at Alexandra Park on Thursday night.
"I don't really know how he will handle the standing start but the 3200m won't worry him," said MacQuibban.
* * *
Classic Turbo's trial for Sydney won't be the only highlight at Alexandra Park on Thursday night.
The surprisingly strong meeting will also play host to champion filly Tupelo Rose, fresh from her Victoria Oaks victory.
Tupelo Rose will clash with Pocket Queen and Ciccio Star in a $10,000 Hydroflow Heat before heading to Addington for the Final and the New Zealand Oaks next month.
And three southern fillies will contest the $20,000 PGG Yearling Sales Graduette, the final lead-up to the $100,0000 Sales Series Fillies Final a week later.
The strong programme is the second piece of good news for Alexandra Park officials this week.
With Pick Six not being struck at Addington last Friday night it will now jackpot to $250,000. But with no racing this Friday, that jackpot will fall on an Alexandra Park meeting on April 28.
* * *
The City Rogue camp has received a boost going into the next round in the battle for juvenile pacing supremacy.
The southern star beat northern arch-rival Matai Mackenzie at the Rangiora trials on Saturday, coming off his back in a 27.4 second last 400m.
It was the final lead-up for the pair going into Saturday's $50,000 Welcome Stakes at Addington.
Matai MacKenzie overcame a check at the 400m to beat City Rogue in the Juvenile Championship at Alexandra Park at their last start and they have looked the leaders of a juvenile crop which possesses rare depth.
As well as Matai Mackenzie and City Rogue, Miami Beach, Hero, Parisian Falcon, Scott McLeod and filly Tiger Turner have all looked capable of emerging from the next month as the star of the juvenile ranks.
"There wasn't a lot between them in the trial and I rate them pretty close on ability," said Matai Mackenzie's driver Tony Herlihy.
Racing: Classic Turbo for Chariots if trainer gets a medical pass
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.