The Group Three Casino Cup will take place at 6:08pm on Friday evening. The conditions are likely to be a little damp as there has been some rain about in NSW. A late shower is forecast for Friday but hopefully it won't affect the Casino meeting.
The hot property for this race is the Bradley Northfield trained 30 month old Bralyn Stalker, whose mother Bralyn Maisie won this very race in 2006. The hulking blue dog is the fastest qualifier through to this final but he will have to overcome all the pace drawn on the inside. The Northfield's will also be represented in the race by Dayseas Jet for Glen and Kingsbrae Molly for Charles.
The field is dominated by dogs sired by Cosmic Rumble and El Grand Senor. Both sires have three runners each in the final. Elite State and Run's House are the other sires represented in this year's final.
Previous winners of the event include Pretty Lee, Diamond Deb, Hot Syrup, Bralyn Maisie, Tarawi Gem, Gazza Shiraz, Within Site, Bundanoon, Cawbourne Smash, Bralyn Midge and Glenreagh Rocket.
Comments: ARG opinion is – Dayseas Jet is the veteran of this field and boasts a wealth of experience at the track. His form shows six wins and nine placings from 18 starts with a best time of 27.31. The Cosmic Rumble dog has run a place in his last three starts at Casino and loves box one. A big each-way chance at value odds.
Comments: ARG opinion is – Wilhelm's wins have been well spaced throughout his career but he does have three wins at the track. He finished second behind the hot talent Bralyn Stalker, beaten four and a half lengths in 27.25. His record from box two stands out in his form – of his nine career wins, he has won five from this box.
Comments: ARG opinion is – Nevaeh Beach is aiming for her fourth straight victory and like Dayseas Jet and Wilhelm, she is well-boxed in the white as it is a box she has won five from eight from. She has never missed a place at Casino and won her heat in 27.71. She looms as one of the main chances and should be good value with bookmakers.
Comments: ARG opinion is – I'm A Believer performed admirably in his heat last week, finishing four and a quarter lengths behind Nevaeh Beach. He was having his first look at the track last week and coming into the race, had won 10 races from 21 starts. Unfortunately for connections he has been done no favours with the box draw. He is only a fair beginner and is likely to find trouble from this draw as he is surrounded by pace.
Comments: ARG opinion is – Birkdale Beauty has won her last four in a row and won her heat in a fast 27.27, not far behind the time recorded by fastest heat winner Bralyn Stalker (27.25). She backed up with a win at Lismore on Tuesday night so she is in real top form. The draw is the only worry but she has the pace to overcome that. Definitely in with a chance.
Comments: ARG opinion is – Paw Licking's sister has never been out of the money in her career and this is her chance to claim a Group Three honour. The only issue for the speedy black bitch is that she only has the one win at this track over the distance from four starts. She was run down by Birkdale Beauty last week to be beaten by just over five lengths. She obviously needs to improve on that to factor in this tough field.
Comments: ARG opinion is – Pace Ventura is already a Group Three place-getter and he is expected to go well in this final. He has the fastest first section of all the finalists and is capable of leading from the wide box. He will need to show a clear pair of heels to take out the title though as he was overtaken by Dayseas Jet in his heat to be beaten by a length in 27.73.
Comments: ARG opinion is – Bralyn Stalker is the least experienced dog in the race yet he is likely to start the warm favourite. He was excellent last week, leading all the way in a quick 27.25 from box seven. There is a lot of pace on his inside that he will need to cross so the draw would be of some concern this time around. He has own his last five and connections will be confident he can make it six in a row.
Comments: Will have to show a bit more pace then she did last week if she gains a start. She finished six and a half lengths third behind Birkdale Beauty in her heat.
Comments: She will be at big odds if she gets a start. She has just the one win from 10 starts at the track and with that record she will find it hard to crack a place in this field.
