2015 Group 3 Gold Coast Cup – free tips and best bookmaker odds
DUAL Group 1 winner Keybow is the $2.50 favourite to take out this Thursday's Group 3 Gold Coast Cup at Albion Park, following on from his emphatic 29.88 heat victory last Thursday.
Starting from box one, the son of Take The Kitty and Key Exit pounced straight on the bunny and was too classy for his opponents, scoring by four-and-three-quarter-lengths over Don't Go Quietly.
A winner of 27 from 56 and over $580,000 in prize money, the Tony Brett-trained greyhound will jump from box four in this week's $25,000 to the winner feature, with a triumph strengthening his chances of being included in the starting eight for this year's Topgun, to be run at The Meadows on October 24.
We caught up with Tony Brett to discuss Keybow's chances in this week's race. You can read that interview here.
The biggest threat for Keybow as far as the market is concerned is the evergreen Miner's Moss, which is drawn favourably in box two. A veteran of 101 starts, the four-year-old showed enormous ticker last week, holding off Lauryn's Best to record a one-and-a-half-length win in 30.00.
$5.50 is currently on offer for Miner's Moss with Sportsbet.
A June 2011 son of Magic Sprite and Bellbird Park, Miner's Moss is one of two greyhounds in the final for Mat Reid, his other charge being Norm The Storm, a six time winner and younger full-brother to Miner's Moss.
Next best in the market is the regally-bred Lauryn's Best at $10, with first reserve Elusive Desire one to consider at the generous quote of $13.
The Group 3 Gold Coast Cup is race seven at Albion Park this Thursday and is scheduled to jump at 8:55pm AEDT.
Group 3 Gold Coast Cup – 520 metres
Box One – Lauryn's Best
Black Bitch – 26.2kg – March 2013
Just The Best x Queen Lauryn
Prize money: $29,073
Trainer: Bill Elson
Career: 25: 10-7-5
T/D: 8: 1-3-3
T/D Best: 30.09
Career Highlights: WON Casino 23.58, Albion Park 30.16.
“Best bred greyhound in the race by far. She ran a solid race last week when beaten by Miner's Moss. Box one will assist her chances, and if she can hold her spot going through the first turn, then she may be able to sneak into some minor money.”
Odds to win the Gold Coast Cup: $10 with Bet365
Box Two – Miner's Moss
Black Dog – 32.6kg – June 2011
Magic Sprite x Bellbird Park
Prize money: $96,366
Trainer: Mathew Reid
Career: 101: 42-13-11
T/D: 27: 8-3-3
T/D Best: 29.89
Career Highlights: WON 2014 Rockhampton Cup, Rockhampton 29.20 TR, FINALIST 2014 Group 2 Maitland Cup, 2014 Group 2 Black Top, 2015 Group 2 Black Top.
“Terrific old stager and he ran a great race last week when clocking 30.00 from an identical draw. He is a greyhound which usually needs to lead to win and, although he is drawn well, this race features a lot of early speed so he will be relying on the favourite missing the kick to be able to punch through to find the front. Despite needing luck, he is worth an each-way ticket, and I think he is definitely one for the exotics.”
Odds to win the Gold Coast Cup: $5.50 with Sportsbet
Box Three – Lady Abigail
White and Black Bitch – 28.3kg – January 2013
Where's Pedro x Pretty Malaika
Prize money: $58,795
Trainer: Frank Hancock
Career: 30: 10-4-7
T/D: 27: 8-4-6
T/D Best: 29.93
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2015 Listed Flying Amy Classic.
“Handy bitch which is likely to get pushed back in the early stages with a fair bit of speed drawn around her and from there she will be facing an uphill battle.”
Odds to win the Gold Coast Cup: $17 with Bet365
Box Four – Keybow
Black Dog – 31.0kg – December 2011
Take The Kitty x Key Exit
Prize money: $580,923
Trainer: Tony Brett
Career: 56: 27-9-7
T/D: 16: 10-2-1
T/D Best: 29.67
Career Highlights: WON 2014 Group 1 Perth Cup, 2014 Group 1 Brisbane Cup, 2014 Group 3 Silver Bullet, 2ND 2014 Group 1 Australian Cup, 2ND 2014 Group 2 Cranbourne Cup, 2015 Group 1 Dapto Megastar, 2014 Group 2 QLD Derby, 3RD 2014 Group 1 Melbourne Cup, 2015 Group 1 Winter Cup, 2015 Group 1 National Sprint Championship, FINALIST 2014 Group 1 Topgun.
“Despite being nearly four years of age, he is still one of the best dogs in the country and this race really does appear to be at his mercy. Box four is not ideal, but he is a class animal and he should be able to overcome the draw with a clean beginning.”
Odds to win the Gold Coast Cup: $2.50 with Sportsbet
Box Five – Cash In Motion
Black Bitch – 29.5kg – September 2013
Smooth Fancy x Teddy's Jackpot
Prize money: $38,303
Trainer: Robert Cooke
Career: 18: 9-3-0
T/D: 16: 8-2-0
T/D Best: 29.79
Career Highlights: 2ND 2015 Brett Memorial Maiden, 2ND 2015 Ipswich Futurity.
“Speedy bitch and she is right in contention if she manages to spear the lids and cross the favourite. Box five doesn't look great on paper, but she should get a nice cart into the race with Keybow and she is capable of running around the 29.70 mark which would put her right in this.”
Odds to win the Gold Coast Cup: $6 with Bet365
Box Six – Waikarie Magic
Black and White Bitch – 27.5kg – January 2013
Train A Journey x Arabian Magic Tu
Prize money: $25,946
Trainer: Brian Baker
Career: 41: 10-10-7
T/D: 25: 5-5-5
T/D Best: 30.02
Career Highlights: 3RD 2015 Group 3 Casino Cup, FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Ipswich Auction Series.
“Has a slick 30.03 best over the track and trip, but that was against a lesser class of dog and she looks likely to stubble here from the poor draw.”
Odds to win the Gold Coast Cup: $41 with Bet365
Box Seven – Don't Go Quietly
Black Dog – 36.4kg – January 2013
Oaks Road x Mercy Rule
Prize money: $58,501
Trainer: Pamela Field
Career: 52: 9-18-7
T/D: 46: 8-15-7
T/D Best: 29.96
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2015 Group 2 QLD Derby
“Took some ground off Keybow in last week's heat which was a very good effort and prior to that he scored a 30.05 win over the track and distance. Doesn't win very often and it is hard to see him doing so tonight but he has run a stack of placings so could be one for the wider multiples.”
Odds to win the Gold Coast Cup: $41 with Bet365
Box Eight – Norm The Storm
Black Dog – 32.9kg – April 2013
Magic Sprite x Bellbird Park
Prize money: $27,288
Trainer: Mathew Reid
Career: 14: 6-2-2
T/D: 8: 4-1-1
T/D Best: 29.77
Career Highlights: 3RD 2015 Ipswich Derby, FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Vince Curry Memorial Maiden, 2015 Albion Park Young Guns.
“Was very impressive when winning his heat off box five and he is racing in terrific form. He should be able to avoid early trouble from box eight and put himself into a forward position.”
Odds to win the Gold Coast Cup: $8.50 with Bet365
1st Reserve – Elusive Desire
Light Brindle Dog – 30.1kg – December 2012
Cold Fusion x Elusive Angel
Prize money: $74,113
Trainer: Colin Graham
Career: 39: 14-3-9
T/D: 28: 9-3-5
T/D Best: 29.81
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Listed Flying Amy Classic, FINALIST 2015 Group 2 QLD Derby.
“One of the most talented chasers in the state which was let down by his box manners once again in his heat. If he were to get a run from an inside box he would be a definite chance.”
Odds to win the Gold Coast Cup: $13 with Bet365
2nd Reserve – Spring Bonanza
Black Bitch – 26.7kg – October 2012
Spring Gun x Magic Fantasy
Prize money: $52,325
Trainer: Tom Tzouvelis
Career: 54: 14-6-11
T/D: 16: 2-1-5
T/D Best: 30.02
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2014 Group 2 Dapto Puppy Auction, 2015 Group 3 Townsville Cup, 2015 Group 3 Casino Cup.
“Unlikely to get a start and would probably find this a bit too tough if she did.”
Odds to win the Gold Coast Cup: $36 with Sportsbet