2015 Group 2 Maitland Cup tips, odds and runner statistics
AN EVEN spread of talent will contest the $40,000-to-the-winner Group 2 Maitland Cup on Friday night, with eight speedy chasers set to line-up in the the 450-metre feature in the Hunter Valley.
The fastest heat qualifier was Zipping Saxon which is currently the $2.70 favourite with William Hill after he managed to break the elusive 25 second barrier when scoring in 24.92 from box one last week. This Friday, the son of Spring Gun and Agent Gibbs will jump from an identical draw for leading local conditioner Jason Mackay who will have a double shot at glory, with the unbeaten Black Frenzy ($4) to exit box eight after his impressive 25.21 heat romp.
Spacecraft, the $2.90 second favourite with William Hill, brings the class edge to the feature for trainer Lorraine Atchison, coming into the series as a last start placegetter in the Group 3 Ambrosoli at Wentworth Park over 520-metres. The regally bred son of Brett Lee and Cristalle has speed to burn and was emphatic in his qualifying performance last weekend, clocking a breathtaking 25.01.
Atchison's sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Jeff Eaton, will also contest the final, their charge being the consistent La Grand Logie which will jump from box six. A winner of nine from 21, the son of El Grand Señor and Oh Em Gee clocked a nippy 25.17 in his heat last week and will just need a bit of luck early to figure in the finish.
Blacksmiths mentor Ron Bell has a shot at taking out the area's biggest race, with the promising Camacho to exit box two. The son of Fabregas has a terrific record and demonstrated his ability here two starts back, clocking a slick 25.12 before following that up with a handy 25.31 heat win.
The field is rounded out by Jack Kade (box three), Altered Mist (box four) and Silver Label (box five), which will all need luck from less than ideal draws.
The 2015 Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup is race eight on the card and will jump at 9:38pm on Friday night. Lets check out the statistics of each runner and hear what Australian Racing Greyhound‘s expert form analyst, Brad Bugeja, had to say about them.
Box One – Zipping Saxon
Fawn Dog – 33.5kg – July 2012
Spring Gun x Agent Gibbs
Trainer: Jason Mackay
Career: 14:4-8-1
T/D: 3:3-0-0
T/D Best: 24.88
Career Highlights: 2ND 2014 Group 3 Dapto Maiden, Richmond 30.48
“Surprisingly he was able to lead in his heat and after finding the front he was never going to be beaten. Obviously if he leads again he will win with ease, however the final features a lot more early speed and he won't get things his own way. There is no doubting his talent and he is clearly a major player but I wouldn't be rushing in to take short odds as he may get shuffled back in the early stages.”
Odds to win the Maitland Cup: $2.70 with William Hill
Box Two – Camacho
Black Dog – 31.4kg – April 2013
Fabregas x Us Five
Trainer: Ron Bell
Career: 18:11-1-1
T/D: 2:2-0-0
T/D Best: 25.12
Career Highlights: WON Wentworth Park 30.28, The Gardens 22.77, Gosford 22.96
“Promising speedster who appears to have gone to the next level in recent weeks, he has scored two brilliant wins here in his past two runs and I think he will continue to be competitive in strong races. Tonight's race is clearly his toughest test and I dont think he is quite good enough yet to win. If he leads he can definitely run a place but he might struggle to hold out the outside division.”
Odds to win the Maitland Cup: $9 with William Hill
Box Three – Jack Kade
Black Dog – 32/3kg – November 2012
Collision x Neat Irish
Trainer: Jodie Lord
Career: 43:15-5-4
T/D: 1:1-0-0
T/D Best: 25.37
Career Highlights: WON Bulli 22.49, Goulburn 25.82, Wentworth Park 30.11
“Hit or miss at box rise but does possess wonderful speed once he hits the ground. The draw is a big disadvantage tonight and I'm a bit concerned about the abundance of speed drawn out wide. If he pings the lids he can feature but he will need too many
things to go his way for him to score.”
Odds to win the Maitland Cup: $13 with William Hill
Box Four – Altered Mist
Black Dog – 38.1kg – December 2011
Bit Chili x Making A Splash
Trainer: Jonny Sledzianowski
Career: 46:7-14-9
T/D: 15:1-7-5
T/D Best: 25.34
Career Highlights: WON Gosford 22.91, 30.11, Wentworth Park 30.34
“Will be the rank outsider in the final and can't see him making an impact. He has a good record here having been placed in 13 of 15 but he will be giving them too big of a head start and he won't be able to take any ground off them.”
Odds to win the Maitland Cup: $34 with William Hill
Box Five – Silver Label
Black Dog – 30.4kg – March 2012
Where's Pedro x Runner Runner
Trainer: Sydney Swain
Career: 39:20-4-7
T/D: 1:1-0-0
T/D Best: 25.39
Career Highlights: WON Gosford 22.72, The Gardens 22.60, 29.51, Richmond 22.45, Wentworth Park 30.01
“Classy provincial speedster and he was an impressive 25.39 heat winner last week. He has scored some very fast wins in his career to date and had he drawn the red I think he may have had real claims, however from the poor draw he is likely to find early bother and he will then face an uphill battle.”
Odds to win the Maitland Cup: $23 with William Hill
Box Six – La Grand Logie
Black Dog – 32.3kg – March 2013
El Grand Senor x Oh Em Gee
Trainer: Jeffrey Eaton
Career: 21:9-2-4
T/D: 4:2-1-0
T/D Best: 25.17
Career Highlights: WON Maitland 22.36, 25.15, Wentworth Park 29.73, FINALIST 2014 Group 1 Vic Peters
“Capable of reeling off brilliant sectionals and if he stepped cleanly he has the speed to get across and lead. He has won two of four here overall and I think he is capable of getting down to the 25 flat mark when given a clear run. Tough ask from the draw but he could be worth an saver bet if he goes around at silly odds.”
Odds to win the Maitland Cup: $14 with William Hill
Box Seven – Spacecraft
Black Dog – 31.1kg – April 2013
Brett Lee x Cristalle
Trainer: Lorraine Atchison
Career: 27:12-7-2
T/D: 9:6-1-1
T/D Best: 25.01
Career Highlights: WON Maitland 25.01, Wentworth Park 29.69, Gosford 29.39, 2ND 2015 Group 3 The Ambrosoli
“Has won seven of 10 here and in the past couple of months he has been racing in devastating style. He is beginning a lot better these days and once he hits the ground he is capable of showing explosive speed. If he can avoid crowding from the eight early he should be able to zoom to the early lead and that will then be the end of the section. My clear top pick and he deserves to win a race of this calibre.”
Odds to win the Maitland Cup: $2.90 with William Hill
Box Eight – Black Frenzy
Black Dog – 28.5kg – 28.5kg
Fabregas x Rose Baby
Trainer: Jason Mackay
Career: 6:6-0-0
T/D: 3:3-0-0
T/D Best: 24.93
Career Highlights: WON Maitland 24.93, 22.28, Richmond 22.56, Wentworth Park 30.14
“Unbeaten in his six starts to date and he has been very impressive in every one of those victories. From the wide draw he should get plenty of room to balance up in the early stages and if he can cross he may be off and gone with the prize. My concern with him is that there is a heap of speed in five, six and seven and he may just get posted wide through the first bend, however you can't rule him out as he does have wonderful speed.”
Odds to win the Maitland Cup: $4 with William Hill
1st Reserve – Winsome Jacko
Brindle Dog – 35.3kg – April 2013
El Grand Senor x Ramblin' Ruby
Trainer: Melinda Finn
Career: 17:5-1-4
T/D: 1:0-1-0
T/D Best: 25.17
Career Highlights: WON Maitland 21.98 TR, Bulli 26.45, Wentworth Park 29.61
“Showed a glimpse of his best form here last week and would be a serious contender if he happened to gain a start. He is capable of running some ridiculous times and if he starts he must be respected.”
Odds to win the Maitland Cup: $15 with William Hill
2nd Reserve – Queen Charlie
Red Fawn Bitch – 29.1kg – June 2012
El Grand Senor x Charlie Cheetah
Trainer: Leo Vanderburg
Career: 31:11-7-4
T/D: 1:0-1-0
T/D Best: 25.18
Career Highlights: WON Maitland 22.26, Richmond 22.66, Bathurst 25.61, Bulli 26.48, Wentworth Park 30.12
“Top effort in her heat and she has scored some top wins in recent weeks, has the speed to be competitive in a race like this but the last 40m is always a worry at the top level.”
Odds to win the Maitland Cup: $12 with William Hill
Top Four: 7 – 6 – 1 – 8
Suggested Bets:
Win bet on Spacecraft with William Hill
Quinella: 7 to rove with 1,6,8 ($3 for 100%)
Boxed Quinella: 6,7,8 ($3 for 100%)
Trifecta: 7/1,6,8/Field ($18 for 100%)