Saturday night’s Group 2 Cranbourne Cup Final (520m) promises to be a beauty after a host of star greyhounds made it through to the $67,000 final.
Six heats were run on Monday night with no less than four Group 1 winners – Secret Spell (30.107sec Best), Above All, Unlawful Entry and Tommy Brislane – all winning their way into the Cranbourne Cup.
Recent Ballarat Cup winner Shared Equity also made the final along with Blue Revolver, Cosmic Owl and Rare Pearl.
The performance of Rare Pearl, prepared by former NSW trainer Steven White, was particularly eye-catching as his speed in the second half of his heat was such that he zoomed past his rivals despite losing his compass and taking the long way home via the outside of the track.
Unlawful Entry was another who caught the eye, coming from last before opening up a big break and then almost being pipped by a determined Cosmic Owl.
White, Brett Bravo and the Angela Langton/Jeff Britton partnership each have two greyhounds in Saturday night’s $47,000 to-the-winner final.
Live music from The Flaming Moe’s and Anthony Wilson Band will keep the Cranbourne Cup crowd entertained along with kids activities including rock climbing and a video games trailer. Exclusive dining packages start from just $55, with bookings of 10 or more to include a FREE bus service to and from the track. Scroll for details.
Saturday night, 9 January
$47,000 (1st), $13,350 (2nd), $6,650 (3rd) – 520 Metres
1. BLUE REVOLVER (Wayne Vassallo, Devon Meadows)
2. SHARED EQUITY (Angela Langton, Anakie)
3. SECRET SPELL (Brett Bravo, Lovely Banks)
4. RARE PEARL (Steven White, Buln Buln East)
5. ABOVE ALL (Robert Britton, Lara)
6. COSMIC OWL (Jeff Britton, Anakie)
7. TOMMY BRISLANE (Steven White, Buln Buln East)
8. UNLAWFUL ENTRY (Brett Bravo, Lovely Banks)
Reserves
9. CUT LOOSE MAX (Geoff Howell, Pearcedale)
10. STARLIGHT JACK (Mario Briganti, Tuerong)
THE HEATS
HEAT 1: Above All (1) lost his early lead before kicking again in the home straight and running down He’s So Good (4).
TIME: 30.551sec WATCH
HEAT 2: Unlawful Entry (7) came from last to be a clear leader before holding off strong finisher Cosmic Owl (4) in a tight finish.
TIME: 30.232sec WATCH
HEAT 3: Secret Spell (5) found the lead on the first bend after the early leader Shared Equity (3) tracked wide, and from there she was never headed.
TIME: 30.107 (Best) WATCH
HEAT 4: Rare Pearl (2) began well before getting back to fifth place before his big motor saw him score an extraordinary win after tracking extremely wide.
TIME: 30.425sec WATCH
HEAT 5: Blue Revolver (8) flashes home late to defeat To The Galo’s (3) in eye-catching fashion.
TIME: 30.606sec WATCH
HEAT 6: Tommy Brislane (5) overcomes a bump before holding off a fast finishing Cut Loose Max (2).
TIME: 30.362sec WATCH
WATCH: Rare Pearl’s extraordinary heat win in 30.425sec.
