2016 Group 2 Cranbourne Cup heat tips & complete betting preview
SIX heats of the Group 2 Cranbourne Cup (520 metres) will be run and won on Monday evening, with the winner of each qualifier plus the two fastest seconds progressing through to Saturday's $47,000-to-the-winner final.
The series is packed full of quality, with talented sprinters such as Above All (heat one, box one), Over Limit (heat two, box five), Shared Equity (heat three, box three) and Star Recall (heat five, box one) all in contention for the title.
Australian Racing Greyhound has previewed each of the heats, complete with the best bookmaker odds for each of our selections, to help you start 2016 with a win.
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1st: $5,000 2nd: $1,500 3rd: $750.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
The first heat is limited to about four serious chances and I have decided to go with the ageing star Above All ($2.50 with Sportsbet). He has been struck down by injuries throughout his career, however his connections appear to have him back to his best and from the red draw he should take a power of beating. Last time out he turned in a fantastic performance in the Hobart Thousand Final and with two weeks off after that run he should be primed for a bold showing.
He's So Good ($10) has recently joined the powerful Greenough kennel and with the empty draw on his outside he should be afforded a clear passage in the run to the first bend. He is capable of running serious times on the lure and he should take some catching.
Blazin' Bomber ($2.50) is a beast when on song and he is dropping back to a more suitable distance, the wide draw is a small concern but if he can balance up in the top four he should run a very cheeky race.
Weblec Belle ($6) rounds out the chances, she relies on luck in her races but if she can step cleanly she should be in the mix for a long way.
Top Four: 1 – 4 – 8 – 3
1st: $5,000 2nd: $1,500 3rd: $750.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Another quality lineup and Over Limit ($2.65 with Bet365) should get his chance to return to the winners list. He is another chaser who has been struck down by injuries and he seriously could have been anything. Since returning to racing he has showed that he isn't far off his best and I can see him leading all the way in this event.
Unlawful Entry ($2.40) has been racing in rare form and he recently captured the Group 1 Hobart Thousand Final. He is suitably drawn out wide and he can show genuine early speed in his races. I would expect him to sit outside Over Limit for most of the journey and he should fill the quinella spot.
Midnight Ride ($4.40) is a beast when on song and if he can get out into some open spaces he will prove hard to hold out. He has scored two brilliant Warragul wins of late and he has won here previously in good time, the only concern is that he may get shuffled back early.
Full On Bling ($11) is another big talent but like Midnight Ride, he is drawn inside out. With some luck he can definitely win but he will need a lot of things to go his way in running.
Top Four: 5 – 7 – 2 – 1
1st: $5,000 2nd: $1,500 3rd: $750.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Shared Equity ($3) recently capture the Group 2 Ballarat Cup Final and she is armed with blistering early speed. From the inside draw she should be able to pounce on the early lead and she is always hard to get past when on the lure. There are some strong types in this event but she runs a genuine 500m these days so with a clear passage she should be winning.
Texas Titan ($21 with Crownbet) could be the value in the race, he is much better than his form suggests and he has recorded two impressive placings in his only two tries here. He will get back in the early stages but if he gets a nice run through mid race he should be there to strike as they turn for home.
Lunar Eclipse ($5.50) can be hard to follow at times but he has the good draw and he is capable of running the hands off the clock when given clear running. There is a small concern about the speed drawn in two or three but if he holds them out he will take some catching.
Zipping Simmo ($51) probably can't win the race but he is a must for your exotic bets, he is suited to the wide draw and he will be steaming home at the end.
Top Four: 3 – 4 – 1 – 8
1st: $5,000 2nd: $1,500 3rd: $750.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Alexis Kelton ($7.50 with Bet365) turned in three remarkable performances in November when winning at Sale, Sandown Park and Traralgon over middle distances and she should be suited back to this distance. She normally steps well and there isn't a lot of speed around her, so she should get every chance to balance up in the top three and she is very strong in the run home. The inside division are quite smart but I think with a clear run she will have their measure.
Waymore Blues ($3.80) has the good draw and he is never far away in races like this. From the red he should step well and that will allow him to settle in the top two at the first bend, he doesn't have the same mid race brilliance as some of his rivals but he is strong and he does everything right in his races.
Rare Pearl ($6) is a former NSW chaser and he is a beast when on song, he gets back early in his races and he will need some luck but he did power to the line when posting a sizzling 25.78 Warragul win last week.
Walt Bale ($8) rounds out the chances, I don't think he can win but he can run on into a placing.
Top Four: 5 – 1 – 2 – 4
1st: $5,000 2nd: $1,500 3rd: $750.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Star Recall ($2.80 with Crownbet) is getting on a little bit and she has been sparingly raced in recent months, however she has shown that she isn't far off her best and she is still capable of matching it with some of the best. From the red draw she should be able to fire through and assume control at the first bend. This heat is probably one of the weaker heats, so if she does hold them out she should be scoring.
Aeroplane Jack ($4.50) showed his true ability with a dazzling 29.88 Meadows win two runs back and a repeat of that effort will see him go very close to scoring. The only concern with him is that he can miss the kick at times and he likes to get out wide in his races.
Blue Revolver ($2.70) can show devastating early speed in his races and he has recorded two top placings at Sandown Park in recent weeks. There isn't a lot of early speed in the event so he should settle in the top two and he is likely to be there at the end.
Top Four: 1 – 4 – 8 – 3
1st: $5,000 2nd: $1,500 3rd: $750.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Very open heat to end the night but if Cut Loose Max ($4.20) can do everything right at box rise he should be able to settle in the top three and he will take some holding out. I'm expecting the red to fire through and hold the early lead, so that should give him a nice run through and he will be there to strike. He is an extremely improved chaser and he appears to be a nice bet in this event.
Adam Handler ($4.20) loves racing around this circuit and he turned in a great effort to score here last week in 30.24. From the red draw he should be leading for a long way and it will take a great chaser to reel him in.
Xtreme Knocka ($3.70) can be hard to follow at times and he makes a lot of mistakes but he does have enormous talent and the rails draw should suit.
Tommy Brislane ($4 with William Hill) is the interesting runner, he is a lot better than his recent runs suggest and he can show explosive early speed in his races.
Top Four: 2 – 1 – 3 – 5