Feature racing heads to Cranbourne on Monday night for six top quality heats of the Group 2 Harcourts Cranbourne Cup (520m) starting with the first heat at 8:06pm.
There are a number of tantalising match-ups that are sure to create plenty of interest, and competition will be hot with the six winners and two fastest second placegetters to make it through to the $67,000 final on Saturday evening (January 9). Here is a rundown of Monday night’s heats…
HEAT 1 (Race 4 @ 8:06pm): I think it is a race in two although both will need a little luck. The Rob Britton-trained Above All (pictured above) has come up with the red and for that reason I have him the one to beat. An extremely talented greyhound, he wasn’t too far away in the Group 1 Hobart Thousand last time and only needs a shade of room early to be winning. His main danger is the Darren Pattinson-trained Blazin Bomber. He isn’t a brilliant beginner and doesn’t seem suited being drawn out wide, but there is no denying his talent and if he gets any luck early and is anywhere near them off the back he will be charging home. He is more than capable of winning. Other small chances to Weblec Belle and He’s So Good.
HEAT 2 (Race 5 @ 8:29pm): Another cracking race but I am keen on Unlawful Entry to bounce back. A wonderful winner of the Group 1 Hobart Thousand two starts ago, he suffered a heavy fall in a heat of the Silver Chief last start. But if he has taken no ill effects from that run he should be going very close here. The main threat is Over Limit. He chased home Fernando Bale in a heat of the Ballarat Cup recently and is very good on his night. He hasn’t drawn well here but he can reel off dazzling splits so if he leads he will be very hard to run down. Other chances to Full On Bling, who is very well drawn and also Midnight Ride, who faces his toughest test yet.
HEAT 3 (Race 6 @ 8:46pm): A tough heat but I expect the class of Secret Spell to rise to the top. A winner of the Group 1 Hume Cup in November over the 600m, he’s drawn terribly here but he would only need an unimpeded path early to be the one to beat. Shared Equity was a recent winner of the Ballarat Cup and I think is the clear secondpick. Others with chances include Lunar Eclipse, who is well drawn in Box 1, and Banjo Bewdy.
HEAT 4 (Race 7 @ 9:07pm): This is the most wide open of the heats for mine so for that reason alone I am looking for some value here. I think Starlight Jack can bounce back into the winner’s list. A good beginner, he excels from inside draws and having drawn Box 3 I think he can lead and run a race at odds. Clear threat is Waymore’s Blues. He will need luck early but has the draw to be a big factor. Others who could win without surprising include Rare Pearl, Walt Bale, Alexis Kelton and Mepunga Armagh.
HEAT 5 (Race 8 @ 9:28pm): Another tough race but I really like Blue Revolver here. He has run some tremendous races chasing the immortal Fernando Bale and the key I feel for him is that he’s drawn to get clear running from Box 8. If he can get across early he will go very close. The West Australian Star Recall is his main danger for sure. A smart greyhound, she was unplaced in a heat of the Sale Cup recently but coming back in trip is a plus and she will take some running down. They rate clearly as the top two. Chances to Aeroplane Jack and To The Galo’s too.
HEAT 6 (Race 9 @ 9:50pm): Last heat and I think the two graduates of the 2014 Ready to Race Auction at Bendigo can fight out the finish courtesy of their inside draws. Adam Handler has lobbed the plum draw in the red and for that reason I am keen on him to lead and win his way through to the final. I think Cut Loose Max is his danger. I think he is drawn well in Box 2 and will be strong late. I think they are the clear top two. Smaller chances to Xtreme Knocka and Tommy Brislane. I don’t think Master Bekim can win but he could develop into a seriously good stayer. He has a massive finish on him.
It is going to be a big, big night of racing and I hope this has helped find you a winner. Good luck and good punting.
The 2016 Group 2 Harcourts Cranbourne Cup Final will be run on Saturday night January 9. Get in early and reserve your place on what will be a sensational night of entertainment…
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