Two runners in provincial final for top local trainers

Albany will have a two-pronged attack in the $100,000 Skyracing.TV Provincial Championship Series Final (1400m) at Belmont on Saturday.

The Roy Rogers-trained Lickety Split and Steve Wolfe galloper Apollo will carry the hopes of Albany.

After winning both the Great Southern heats held in Albany, Lickety Split was guaranteed a start in the final over 1400m.

In-form jockey Patrick Carbery will take the reins on the five-year-old gelding who will jump from barrier six.

Apollo finished third to Lickety Split in the second Great Southern heat to earn his place in the final and will have Peter Hall aboard from gate 17.

Rogers and Wolfe will clash in the two-year-old plate, with Rogers saddling up debutant Cool Lingo for apprentice Jade McNaught while Wolfe will have Rock Hard Omaru engaged for Shaun McGruddy.

Rejuvenated gelding Luke’s Gold will look to bounce back for Rogers and Chris Nicoll when they tackle Wolfe and My Greek Boy in a 72+ rating handicap over 1400m.

Wolfe also has consistent gelding Round The Point and Mass Effect on Saturday.

Paul Hunter will saddle up former Bob Peters gelding Western King for the first time in race 5 against Mass Effect over 2100m.

The winner of three of 12 starts was transferred to Hunter’s stable from Adam Durrant.