Banjora launches last-ditch bid to qualify for big race at Randwick

A talented metropolitan-based four-year-old will be out to set the record straight when he launches a last-ditch bid to gain a start in next month’s Provincial-Midway Championship Final at Randwick.

Banjora, a gelding in the Bryce Heys stable at Warwick Farm, only had his copybook blotted when totally luckless finishing off in the Gosford Qualifier on March 14.

Despite hitting all sorts of traffic problems in the straight, Banjora rattled home late to finish third, but one short of qualifying for the $1 million Class 5 showdown at Randwick on April 11.

Connections, though, have kept their powder dry, bypassing two wet-track Qualifiers to save Banjora for a firmer surface at Newcastle and stepping up a furlong to 1400m.

Before that Gosford defeat, the son of I Am Invincible had won all three starts, including a Benchmark 72 at Rosehill late last month.

He has reportedly been ticking over nicely in preparation for the final Championship qualifying assault, and was around a hot $1.85 favourite in early betting.

And fresh from four wins at last Saturday’s dual Group 1 meeting at Rosehill, jockey Zac Lloyd reunites with Banjora after piloting him to all three previous wins.

Banjora is also unbeaten from two starts on good-rated ground, and despite still having to qualify, he remains a rock solid $4.60 chance for the final across All-In betting, behind only Matcha Latte around $3.50.

Standing in his way, though, is a pair of home-track stablemates desperate to claim a final berth after avoiding wet tracks over the past two Saturdays.

The Kris Lees-trained pair Lord Of Biscay and Imposant have similar career strike-rates, and a real liking for dry ground.

Lord Of Biscay hasn’t started since a tough finishing effort into third behind Buffalo here a month ago, while Imposant is third-up and 25 days between runs since a fair closing run at Group 3 level.

Both have won three from four on firm ground, although despite drawing much wider, Lord Of Biscay is considered to be the stronger chance.

Another big each-way contender is Rosehill-based mare Miss Spacegirl, which also bypassed Saturday’s soft track at Wyong to be saved for the Wildcard.

A four-year-old daughter of Territories, Miss Spacegirl hasn’t started since finishing close-up in a BM 78 at Warwick Farm on March 4 and will sport blinkers for the first time at Newcastle.