Big O’Reilly team set for Ipswich Auction series

By Jordan Gerrans

Peter O’Reilly is banking on the weight of numbers for his kennel in the Group 3 Ipswich Auction series this year.

The Yamanto-based trainer presents to the rich series with half a dozen runners from his kennel, who are all spread out across the four heats on Saturday evenings program from the Ipswich Showgrounds.

O’Reilly – who is also on the committee at the Ipswich club – bred the two litters that have produced his young dogs for the series.

While he has an array of chances across the heats, O’Reilly – who breeds most of the dogs he races - believes the 520 metre trip will be a query for many from his kennel.

“They are not really 500 metre dogs yet but they will get there eventually,” the veteran trainer said.

“They will get there and get stronger and stronger, they always do. They have a fair bit of pace. They will get there in the end.”

Of the six entered, Hot Blaster arguably presents with the best form after winning his last two efforts over 431 metres at Ipswich.

Hot Blaster has drawn perfectly in one for the last of four heats and will commence alongside kennel mate Bentley Boom, who is also a last-start winner.

“He is a bit of a chance as he has the early pace,” O’Reilly said of Hot Blaster. 

“If he can get in front and have no troubles, then he will go all right but just the distance is a query.”

Hot Blaster, Hot Tyson and Rebel Blaster – who will all contest Saturday’s heats – are from a Fernando Blaster and Hot Ember litter.

O’Reilly raced Hot Ember up until the middle stages of 2020, with the bitch winning 11 races.

She won up to 732 metres at the Ipswich track and so far Hot Blaster, Hot Tyson and Rebel Blaster have all battled when stepping up in distance.

“She could run 400, 500, 600 and 700 metres,” he said of Hot Ember.

“That is why I am surprised about the Hot Ember pups that are in as they are struggling to get 500 metres.”

There will be two semi-finals of the Auction series next Saturday evening before the Final the following week.

“I think I can get a couple that will go through but I just think there is a few other dogs that are faster in these races,” he said.

“I cannot complain with the box draws, this might be the best box draw I have ever had.”

Speaking from a committee perspective, O’Reilly notes the Group 3 Ipswich Auction series is one of the biggest events on the club calendar every year.

While there has been low nominations for the heats this year, O’Reilly expects the fields to be stacked in 2024.

Bentley Boom, Booming Boo Boo and Boom Boom Harley will be the other three runners from the kennel on Saturday night.

The trio come from a Bernardo and Abby Boom litter and O’Reilly believes the “Boom” dogs will be more competitive over the 520 metres.

“The Boo Boo dogs at the moment have had a fair bit more experience than the other ones,” he said.

“They can run 500 metres ok.

“The Fernando Blasters are quick out of the boxes but they cannot quite run the 500 metres yet.”

The heats of the Group 3 Ipswich Auction series will be run from races seven to 10 on Saturday night.