2016 CLASSIC CUP AWAITS US
The 2016 Group 2 Cranbourne Cup should be a classic, after six super heats the winner of the cup will be hard to find.
Heat’s night, attended by nearly 200 people, was a thrilling and windy event with four of the six heats requiring a photo finish.
Trainer Brett Bravo was the trainer of the night, training two greyhounds into Saturday night’s final. His hounds Unlawful Entry and Secret Spell are the bookies favourites to take out the $47,000 first prize.
Cup favourite Unlawful Entry is in great form after also winning the 2015 Group 1 Hobart Thousand. Drawing box 8 for the Cup, he’ll need to use his early speed before the frantic first turn at Cranbourne otherwise he’ll end up either going too wide, being checked or falling.
Bravo’s other greyhound in the race is classy chaser Secret Spell. She has amazing form at Cranbourne Greyhound Club, winning 75% of her races and will be Unlawful Entry’s biggest concern.
Although he lost the heat to Secret Spell, the Angela Langton trained Shared Equity demands respect. Not only did he sprint clear of Unlawful Entry in last months Group 2 Ballarat Cup he also beat home the greatest greyhound of all time Fernando Bale in that same race.
Speaking of Fernando Bale, Blue Revolver didn’t beat it, but came a mighty close second to him at Sandown Park last month and will challenge the field coming out of Box 1.
The Britton family is very well known in greyhound racing circles and they have a reputation of winning big time events across the country. So when you see a greyhound trained by a Britton you know it means business.
Therefore, Jeff Brittion who trains Cosmic Owl and Rob’s Above All are every chance.
Cosmic Owl didn’t win her heat but flew home and gave Unlawful Entry an almighty fright at the end and if she repeats that performance, anything can happen.
Rob Brittion has heat one winner Above All coming out in the yellow vest. Above All has raced Unlawful Entry twice in its past 4 starts but unfortunately has been beaten both times. There is no time quite like revenge in a final and no doubt Rob will train him to the minute and could cause an upset.
Rare Pearls run to the cup was the highlight of heats night. After jumping with the field, he balanced himself and was forth for most of the race. On his mission to gain the lead on the final turn, he lost his way and ran the widest of all dogs. At one stage he looked like he was heading to Melbourne, but then launched a big sprit up the straight to grab the lead off Starlight Jack to win by a length. If Rare Peal get the rails run and doesn’t get lost, he is every chance.
Not all hope is lost for the unlucky Starlight Jack, he’ll be second emergency for the cup final.
The final couple of greyhounds to make it through to the final are Tommy Brislane and first emergency Cut Loose Max. Both ran really good times in the 6th and final heat of the night.
It’s hard to find statistical reasons on why Tommy Brislane can’t win the final. Not only is he a fast starter, which he needed to be in his heats as he jumped out of the awkward box 5. He has won over 65% of all his races and has won from box 7 three times. Stats say Tommy has a big chance.
If first emergency Cut Loose Max gets a run, look out. Max is out of multiple Group 1 winner El Galo, he runs mostly in big city races and performs well in them. I wouldn’t put it past him, that if he runs, he can win.
With all these top chances and performers in this race I wouldn’t be surprised that either the race ends in an 8 way dead heat, or all of the dogs check each other and fall over for a chance at the lead. Either way it should be a classic Cranbourne Cup.
Researched and written by :- Jack Richter
