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Sport Nation
Eriza Sparkles in Heats, Aims to Shine in Megastar
Jeff Collerson • September 10th, 2025 5:11 pm
Eriza Sparkles went into the Group One Ladbrokes Peter Mosman Opal final as fastest qualifier and has the same status as she tackles Thursday's $75,000 to the winner group one Ladbrokes Dapto Megastar.
Steve Fitch's bonny bitch came from box five to win her Opal heat in an unmatched 29.48 and wore the yellow rug again when she posted fastest Megastar heat figures of 29.52.
Fitch will be hoping history doesn't repeat itself precisely on Thursday night, commenting: "She drew box seven in the July 5 Peter Mosman Opal final, just couldn't get across and finished seventh in 29.78.
"And she has drawn box seven again in the Megastar."
"The box itself is not a problem, because she runs straight from the boxes to the first bend.
"But a lot depends on what the dogs around her do soon after the start.
"Eriza Sparkles has to come out flying, which she can do, and then we'll be hoping for some pushing and shoving on the inside.
"She has had only 11 starts for seven wins, so she is inexperienced compared to her rivals on Thursday.
"But Eriza Sparkles certainly has the ability and she has had it from day one.
"When she was educated she broke in as fast as her kennelmate Cumbria Jack, and there is still not much between them.
"Cumbria Jack won over 457m at The Q Lakeside in 25.15 and then Eriza Sparkles won there in 25.16."
Meanwhile Cumbria Jack, who was with caretaker Queensland trainer Tony Brett for his successful National Sprint Championship campaign, is back in Steve Fitch's Nowra kennels preparing for the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park.
"Cumbria Jack has been enjoying a short break but I will get him back to Wentworth Park shortly,'' Fitch said.
"He won't be racing anywhere else except Wenty until it's time for him to tackle the MDC semi-finals.
"Cumbria Jack's Nationals win qualified him for those Million Dollar Chase run-offs on October 10."
