2015 Group 1 Sapphire Crown – form, odds and free tips
THURSDAY will see the running of the Group 1 Sapphire Crown Classic Final at Sandown Park, with eight talented bitches vying for $100,000 in first prizemoney.
Last week four heats were conducted over the 515-metre distance, with Steve Collin's Lamia Bale clocking a sizzling time of 29.27. The daughter of High Earner and Maple Bale, which is a litter sister Dyna Nico which will exit from box eight, is looking for her second female title after saluting in the Group 2 Laurels over the same track and distance last year.
Recent Group 3 Ladies Bracelet winner Elfen Bale won her heat in 29.63 last week, while inside runner Angie Rocks possess a huge motor and recorded a smart time of 29.59 in her heat victory. The Mario Briganti-trained chaser will only need some luck early on to figure heavily in the finish of this final.
Cosmic Wise was the other heat winner in 29.63 for Jeff Britton who has two in the final, his other runner, West On Delly, has a sizzling personal best time of 29.38 at Sandown.
Angie Rocks is currently the $2.80 favourite with williamhill.com.au.
The final will be run and won at 8.52pm local time.
Lets hear what Australian Racing Greyhound‘s expert form analyst, Brad Bugeja, had to say about each finalist.
Box One: Angie Rocks
Black Bitch – 28.1kg – July 2013
Kinloch Brae x Punk Rock Lass
Trainer: Mario Briganti
Career: 11:5-4-0
Prizemoney: $29,660
T/D: 4:2-1-0
T/D Best: 29.27
Career Highlights: WON Cranbourne 29.71, WON The Meadows 29.83
“Powerful chaser which will take a power of beating if she can balance up in the top three or four. There is a fair bit of speed in this event but from the red she should get every chance to drive through and hold a prominent spot. She has won here in a sizzling 29.27 previously and with a clear passage she is probably capable of going a bit quicker. There are a lot of front runners in this event and that should play into her favour.”
Odds to win the Sapphire Crown: $2.90 with William Hill
Box Two: One Dee
Fawn Bitch – 28.9kg – March 2012
Talk's Cheap x Lil' Bit Cool
Trainer: Shayne Taylor
Career: 37:10-10-5
Prizemoney: $44,840
T/D: 14:2-6-2
T/D Best: 29.61
Career Highlights: WON Bendigo 23.63, WON Launceston 29.62, WON The Meadows 29.96, WON Cranbourne 30.49, WON Ballarat 25.6, WON Shepparton 25.51
“Fast early and tends to race well at this venue, however this is a big step up in class for her and I don't think she can feature. She appeared to have every chance in her heat and she will find the going very tough.”
Odds to win the Sapphire Crown: $16 with William Hill
Box Three: Humming Birdhill
Cosmic Chief x Lisa's Tree
Trainer: Robert Britton
Career: 24:6-4-1
Prizemoney: $16,915
T/D: 9:2-1-0
T/D Best: 29.41
Career Highlights: WON The Meadows 30.06, 35.05
“Found bother in her heat but was still soundly beaten and from the awkward draw she is likely to get spat out the back in the early stages. There is speed drawn all around her and she tends to have a flat spot mid race, so it's likely that she will be in the second half of the field as they head to the back straight. Unlikely to make an impact.”
Odds to win the Sapphire Crown: $10 with William Hill
Box Four: West On Delly
Black Bitch – 27.4kg – February 2013
Brett Lee x West On Bluebird
Trainer: Jeff Britton
Career: 24:8-8-3
Prizemoney: $43,940
T/D: 10:2-3-2
T/D Best: 29.38
Career Highlights: WON Cranbourne 29.80, WON The Meadows 30.08, WON Cannington 30.87
“She has been racing in dazzling style of late and with some luck early she is more than capable of figuring in the finish. Her box manners aren't great but she does muster speed incredibly fast and if given room early she could settle in the top two or three. She has won here previously in a slick 29.38 and I think with a clear passage she is capable of going much quicker. The box draw is a big disadvantage but she could be the value bet in the race.”
Odds to win the Sapphire Crown: $5.50 with William Hill
Box Five: Elfen Bale
Kelsos Fusileer x Chloe Allen
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 21:10-6-2
Prizemoney: $66,600
T/D: 3:1-0-1
T/D Best: 29.64
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 3 Ladies Bracelet Final (Wentworth Park), WON Ballarat 25.45, WON Geelong 25.73, WON The Meadows 30.02, WON Wentworth Park 29.80
“She recently captured the Ladies Bracelet Final at Wentworth Park and she followed that effort up with a powerful 29.64 win here last week. After missing the kick she had to work her way through the field before hitting the line strongly to score in 29.64. The overall time wasn't impressive but the manner in which she won was eye catching, with a clear passage I'm expecting her to go a lot quicker and she should be there at the business end.”
Odds to win the Sapphire Crown: $7 with William Hill
Box Six: Lamia Bale
Brindle Bitch – 27.1kg – July 2012
High Earner x Maple Bale
Trainer: Steve Collins
Career: 51:15-11-8
Prizemoney: $215,020
T/D: 23:7-5-3
T/D Best: 29.27
Career Highlights: WON 2014 Group 2 Laurels Final (Sandown), WON 2015 Group 3 ‘Ambrosoli' Final (Wentworth Park), WON 2014 Group 3 Sir John Dillon Memorial Final (Sandown), WON The Meadows 29.78, WON Warragul 26.03, WON Wentworth Park 29.90
Good/middle/Strong
“The ultimate professional and she has a habit of pinging the lids in the races that matter. Last week she speared the lids and reeled off great sectionals before scoring the fastest heat win in 29.27. If she steps like she did last week she should be able to find the top early and they won't get past her if she lands on the lure.”
Odds to win the Sapphire Crown: $3.70 with William Hill
Box Seven: Cosmic Wise
Black Bitch – 29.4kg – September 2011
Cosmic Chief x Wise Penny
Trainer: Jeff Britton
Career: 79:25-12-8
Prizemoney: $216,500
T/D: 23:7-2-1
T/D Best: 29.40
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Rookie Rebel (The Meadows), WON Angle Park 29.84, WON Horsham 23.02, 27.02, 32.16, Healesville 19.18, WON The Meadows 29.94, 34.28
Risky/Middle/Very Strong
“Returned to her best with a strong 29.68 heat win last week and she is a multiple Group 1 finalist. Had she drawn the inside I would have given her a serious winning chance, however she is drawn very awkwardly out wide and with the speed around her she is likely to get spat out the back early. She must be included in your exotic bets but I can't see her taking the major prize.”
Odds to win the Sapphire Crown: $21 with William Hill
Box Eight: Dyna Nico
Brindle Bitch – 28.3kg – July 2012
High Earner x Maple Bale
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 51:13-12-7
Prizemoney: $131,120
T/D: 15:2-5-1
T/D Best: 29.62
Career Highlights: WON Ballarat 25.53, WON Cranbourne 30.61, WON The Meadows 29.93, WON Warragul 25.74, WON Wentworth Park 29.55
“Faultless beginner and she has shown a little more strength in recent weeks. Last week she was nabbed in the concluding stages by the exciting Angie Rocks but if she happens to get across again tonight there is every chance that they will shuffle up behind her in the early stages and she might get a race winning break in the middle stages. At around the $5.50 mark she appears to be good value.”
Odds to win the Sapphire Crown: $5.50 with William Hill
Top Four: 1 – 6 – 8 – 5
Suggested Bets:
Boxed Quinella: 1,5,6,8 ($6 for 100%)
Exacta: 1,6,8/1,5,6,8 ($9 for 100%)
Trifecta: 1/5,6,8/Field ($18 for 100%)
Trifecta: 1,6,8/1,5,6,8/1,4,5,6,7,8 ($36 for 100%)