Crawford with strong team in Corporate Dollars Challenge

By Mike Hill

Trainers Tony Apap and Jeff Crawford go into Saturday night's $18,500 Corporate Dollars Challenge over 520 metres at Ipswich with double-pronged attacks.

Apap will be represented by fastest heat winner Smart And Classy (box three) and Baccarat Boy (box five), while Crawford rugs up litter brothers Teddy Foodle (box two) and Mukali (box six).

The $12,025-to-the-winner Challenge is quickly gaining a reputation for producing above average sprinters.

Two-time Group victor Velocity Bettina, Tungsten Miss, a Group 2 winner and four-time Group Finalist, and Group performers Red Rocket, Rapala Boy, Spring Bonanza and Brandi Alexander were all triumphant in the series, which was first run in 2006.

Apap was impressed with Smart And Classy's heat victory last week after a couple of disappointing runs at Albion Park.

The Gatton-based conditioner has only had the white and black dog (from a Hooked On Scotch and Vince A Bella litter) since the middle of December after the sprinter was previously prepared by David Plummer in the Bundaberg region.

Smart And Classy has raced six times for Apap for a win and three placings.

The well-credentialed trainer said he wasn't overly happy with some of the sprinter's Albion Park performances and thought he'd try him at Ipswich.

Crawford, who's happy to have runners in the Challenge Final for the first time, considers Mukali the better of his pair.

"He has the better early speed and is the more rounded race dog at the moment," Crawford said.

Crawford is based at Buccan in the Logan region.

Mukali (from a Go Wild Teddy and Eulogia litter) showed his potential with an impressive heat win last week beating the Tom Tzouvelis-trained $1.45 hot favourite Scripted.

Although it was the Crawford sprinter's second successive victory over 520 metres - he's only had two runs at the distance - it was the manner of the victory that was impressive.

Jumping from the outside box, Mukali manoeuvred himself to be on the fence inside Scripted (box one) going down the back before hitting the lead.

The black sprinter held on for an impressive three-quarters-of-a-length victory in a smart 30.59 seconds. 

Crawford said he was disappointed that Teddy Foodle had missed the start badly in his heat, but was buoyed by the way the chaser had worked his way through the field to finish second behind Smart And Classy.

Although he'd also been slow out over the 431 metre trip, the trainer said he was hoping the 520 metre straight line start would have suit the sprinter better.

Crawford has just stepped the brothers up to 520 metres and said there was always a question mark over their ability to handle the distance.

"However, they are starting to show that they can be competitive," Crawford said.

"They seem to be able to navigate through a field and should get better with more race experience."

Crawford said the dogs in boxes one and three (Narkunda and Smart And Classy) looked to 'have the wood on their rivals'.

"But, it's a dog race and anything can happen," Crawford said.

Terry Priest, with Rich Tapestry in box four, also has second reserve Alberton Park in the Final.