Eight speedy greyhounds from four different states will line up for a shot at the $75,000 first prize in this Thursday night's Group One Winter Carnival Cup at Albion Park.
Master Queensland trainer Tony Brett, who has won the race for the last three years running has two dogs engaged in Flash Reality and Benarkin.
Comments: Darren McDonald (Trainer) – “He has been jumping a lot better lately and is racing with a lot of confidence, hopefully he can do that again on Thursday night. Flash Reality will be hard to beat racing on his home track.”
Comments: Sandra Hunt (Trainer) – “We are boxed ok again, that is one good thing, but she is probably a 30/1 shot. In saying that I guess we were a 30/1 shot last week and we won. It would be nice to lead again but there is some fast dogs in there, it is just great to be in the race. I think she is the only bitch in the race so hopefully all the boys do the gentlemanly thing and let her go first.”
Comments:ARG opinion is – Lightly raced dog who has won four from eight at Albion Park. He is yet to break the 30 second barrier at the track and will probably need to improve to worry to big guns in this final. Place hope.
Comments: Ted Medhurst (Trainer) – “He is going as well as ever and his form has held up well right through. He had only had one trial at the track before last week but he still looked to be a bit lost going around the first turn and through the catching pen. He has to lead if he wants to win it.”
Comments:Tony Brett (Trainer) – “He had a split webbing just before the Gold Cup so he had an enforced break. The way he ran on last week given the small amount of work he's had was terrific. He will be back early but it is incredible the way he weaves through a field. He is not as fast as the top dogs but will be running on if he gets a clean crack at them.”
Comments: ARG opinion is – A winner of five from 18 over this trip who snuck in to this final with a second placing last week. His form has not been too flattering of late and he will more than likely find this field a little bit too slippery.
Comments: Peter O'Reilly (Trainer) – “He seems to handle box seven pretty well, I think he is used to it since he has drawn there so often. He is racing close to his best and if he runs that sort of time he has to be a chance, I would love to see him win a race like this.”
Comments: Tony Brett (Trainer) – “He has always shown a lot of promise and if he gets that clean getaway then he will be hard to beat. You always want box one in a big final but if you can't get it then eight is the next best thing. He is good enough to compete with the really good dogs so hopefully it all goes well on Thursday night.”
Comments: Consistent bitch who always manages to put herself in the picture and is capable of running slick time. Would not be the worst if she gained a start.
Comments: Handy New South Wales bitch who ran into a hot Awesome Project last week. Can be a little hit or miss at the start but when she is at her best she is very quick. Would be a place chance if gaining a start.
Best Albion Park Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
NBT
30.43
5.65
5.68
Awesome Project (1) looks to hold all the aces in this race. Should he leave the boxes rapidly then he will take a power of beating.
Flash Reality (8) is an improving youngster who has gone close to lowering the track record over this trip. If he gets a clean run to the first turn then he could blow them away.
Buckle Up Wes (4) is a proven big race performer who could easily win this race on his best form. He is yet to show it at Albion Park, but given his relative inexperience at the track he has plenty of scope for improvement.
Yogi Blue (7) is in stellar form and regularly produces sub-thirty second runs here. He looks to be the knockout chance outside of the “big three”.