2014 Group Three Sydney Cup Heats Preview
Two heats of the time honoured Group Three Sydney Cup highlight racing at Wentworth Park this Saturday night.
The $25,000 to-the-winner event is run over the 720 metre journey and has attracted some of the best stayers in the country.
One concern about the series is the fact that only two heats of six runners will contest the event that has been won in the past by greyhounds such as Zoom Top and Miagi. Whether it be a result of scheduling, a lack of depth in the distance racing ranks or perhaps a combination of the two, it is possible that some sort of revision may need to be done to retain the quality of the event.
Recent Group Three Chairman's Cup winner Zipping Maggie returns to the Glebe circuit as does Group One Association Cup winner Sweet It Is and Dyna Willow who has won three Group races at the harbour side track. Add to that exciting youngster Space Star and there is still plenty to look forward to over the next two Saturday evenings.
Here is a look at the two heats;
Race 6 – Sydney Cup Heat One – 9:12pm
1 – Sweet It Is (Darren McDonald) – Triple Group One winning bitch who has not missed a place in her last 14 outings. Her tendency to get back in races and run home means the smaller field should suit. She has failed narrowly in recent outings in both the Chairman's Cup and the Top Cat Video Cup. She is clearly the one to beat here.
2 – My Asuncion (Adele Powell) – Veteran chaser who has registered just one win from 27 attempts at this trip. She is rarely far away from the placings and that appears to be her best chances again here.
4 – Valentine Goods (Michelle Shambler) – A coalfields bitch who has only managed one victory in her last 13 starts. She was beaten a long way in her only outing over this journey and looks tested in this company.
5 – Zipping Rory (Bethany Daparin) – A consistent Victorian chaser who is rarely far away at the business end of his races. Tends to get back in his races and will be doing his best work at the end of the race.
7 – Space Star (Dawn Garrett) – Boom youngster who already holds track records at Richmond and Gosford over 600 metres. He has won two from three over this trip including a swift 41.84 effort. He should land midfield and give plenty of cheek. He is one of the main dangers to Sweet It Is in this one.
8 – Dusty Moonshine (Denice Warren) – Talented stayer who has a tremendous record over this trip. She recently set the 729 metre track record at Dapto and boasts a personal best of 41.86 here. She could well find the front and give them something to catch.
Selections: 1-8-7
Race 7 – Sydney Cup Heat Two – 9:37pm
1 – Paddles Anderson (Jodie Lord) – A moderately performed dog who impressed at his first 720 metre outing last week when he stopped the clock at 42.29. Takes a massive leap in class here and is likely to need luck to feature.
2 – Dyna Willow (Steve Collins) – A classy bitch who has won three Group staying events at this track. She has been below her best of late bar a solid win at The Meadows a fortnight ago. If she finds her best she will be right in this but that is a big “if”.
4 – Mr. Corsair (Michelle Shambler) – Another moderately performed dog who is yet to win in three appearances over this journey. He managed a place here last start in average time and will need to improve to be any hope in this.
5 – Tears Siam (Dawn Garrett) – A young stayer who has just his 13th start here. He has a personal best of 42.34 at the track and will be running on at the business end of proceedings. This is biggest test of his short career and place prospects appear to be his best.
7 – Zipping Maggie (Peter Daparin) – One of the most exciting bitches in the country who had won six in a row before finishing fourth in the final of the Group Three Top Cat Video Cup last week at The Meadows. Her winning streak included a heat and final of the Group Three Chairman's Cup here against some hot opposition. She is the one to beat in this heat.
8 – Ruff Cut Diamond (Michael Fearnley) – A young up and comer who has relished the step up to long distance racing in her last three outings. She tuned up for this with a slippery Wentworth Park debut of 41.87. A repeat of that will see her go very close here.
Selections: 7-8-2