Class And Luck To Decide Ipswich Cup Heats

The 2013 Ipswich Cup has attracted the cream of Queensland chasers together with a number of up and coming potential superstars. This Saturday night 6 full heats highlight a great Saturday night of racing at the Ipswich Showgrounds Circuit. While the attention and focus of Queensland racing of late has been a lack of direction and leadership, the quality heats are a welcome distraction for the disarray facing the Queensland greyhound industry.

This year 24 different sires have produced the 48 offspring who will contest the 6 heats. As always, Queensland racing is dominated by the champion sires of years gone by – Surf Lorian (9 starters), (6), Cosmic Rumble (4) and Where's Pedro (3). More exciting, this year 14 sires will have just the 1 starter including greats like Bombastic Shiraz and Big Daddy Cool, and lessor known stud dogs like – sire of Banjo Boy, Cool Effort and Special Phantom.

With perfect conditions expected, and each of the heats have a number of winning chances, the racing is sure to be exciting as the dogs explode from the boxes.

Race 3 – ROB–ELLE HAIR DESIGNERS CUP HEAT 1 520m – 8.52pm Qld time

The Lois Neal owned and trained Surfin' Kawati has been in brilliant form of late winning his past two Albion Park starts in blistering fashion with 29.71 BON and 29.81 BON times. The February 2011 son of Surf Lorian has always been a dog with outstanding ability but at times has lacked consistency. Neal looks to have found what works and he is in career best form. He looks almost impossible to beat after drawing box 1. A personal best 30.54 here is an indication of his ability but he can go much faster and he looks a good chance to win his heat and the group 3 title.

Park Ridge trainer has had a wonderful 2013 with his name in the winners list most race days. Leading the way has been his wonderful litter of Cosmic Rumble – Skinny Magic pups, the best performed being White Hornet. The White and Black November 2011 dog may have just turned 2 but he has already recorded 11 wins from 21 starts and close to $40,000 in prizemoney including a recent 2nd place finish in the Group 3 Gold Coast Cup final beyond speed bitch Punch One Out. Drawing box 3, he has a wonderful career record, especially here where has recorded 5 starts resulting in 3 wins and 2 seconds including a fast 30.60 PB.

Hanson Houdini for Tamborine trainer Geoff Allen looks another greyhound capable of winner and he looks like he will be well supported to topple the logical favourite. Drawn ideally in box 2, he does have a 30.69 PB here that was set in September. Only a small dog at 30 kilograms he hasn't shown the best box speed, but he does possess wonderful ability to move through a race field as evidences by his short track success. A smart chaser and in strong hands – he looks a solid each way chance.

Race 4 – MCPHERSON MECHANICAL CUP HEAT 2 520m – 9.11pm Qld time

A wonderful heat race full of outstanding quality and on paper it appears that there are a number of winning chances. It looks like the winner will be the greyhound who gets the luck at the right stages, including those who can avoid any first corner interference. Regal Lauryn for master trainer Tony Brett will start a deserved favourite after her recent Lismore Cup success. Drawn poorly in box 6 she has an abundance of talent on the racetrack and is beautifully bred being by Surf Lorian from the outstanding bitch Queen Lauryn. A brilliant career record, highlighted at the track and trip which reads 9 starts for 7 wins and 1 second including a remarkable 30.32 PB. A repeat of that performance will ensure that whatever beats her wins.

Stay The Night for Greenbank trainer Robert Essex will look to challenge the Brett express after drawing the striped rug. The rising 4 year old has been a wonderful dog for the Cool Esky's Partnership and loves the track and trip where he recorded 9 wins and 20 placing's from 36 starts. $30,000 in prizemoney tops off his impressive record and it would be no surprise to see him perform well as he reaches the twilight of his career.

Rob Ball is no stranger to having fast dogs and the next litter from super producer Ultra Swift will look to replace the last headlined by the talented Flick Pass who lines up in box 4. The last start Albion Park winner (30.04 BON) will be having his first start at Ipswich but he will be well schooled and educated. He is possible of recording a fast debut win here. The winner of 6 from 13 he looks a dog to follow.

Leading trainer and owner partnership of Col Byers and Dallas Beckett head to the boxes with well performed Rockhampton sprinter Spring Money. The black dog will jump in the pink rug and while his two Brisbane starts have looked disappointing his Rockhampton 510m wins were anything but. He will have the benefit of having been settled into his new surroundings for the past month and Byers definitely knows how to get his chasers to win around the showgrounds circuit. An interesting runner who will be at value odds – a wonderfully talented greyhound who looks set to enjoy rich success around the south east corner based on his ability.

Race 5 – JACKWITZ FARMS CUP HEAT 3 520m – 9.26pm Qld time

Another outstanding heat race with a number of quality chasers engaged, the winner possible to come from any box and runner. Owner Leslie Bein has been a wonderful supporter of Queensland Racing and tasted success at the top level with his past champions. Young greyhound Placid Planet looks to be continuing on his good success as he develops into a quality chaser in the kennel. It will pay to forget his last run at Wentworth Park where he had no luck – he will benefit from that experience and he has a wonderful 30.47 PB here. By Cosmic Rumble – Bogie Angel he is only a baby but could be one of the best Cosmic Rumble prodigy if he can keep it going.

Wonderful producer has thrown another promising pup in the Reg Kay owned and trained Rickshaw Rosie (box 6). The brilliant speedster has started at the track 5 times for 5 wins, albeit over the 431m trip. The 520m looks to be as far as she wants to go but she is in the hands of the master trainer and if anyone can produce a greyhound on the day its Reg Kay. A beautiful 25 kilogram lightweight bitch who looks to have a big future both on the race track and in future breeding.

Byers and Beckett team up again with box 3 chance – Coin Of Phrase. Like his litter brother in the previous heat Coin Of Phrase has been educated at Rockhampton where he performed with aplomb. This is the better of the two brothers, with Beckett knocking back Melbourne offers for the son of Surf Lorian – Spring Penny who has faced the starter on 15 occasion's for 6 wins and 5 placing's. A fall in Rockhampton prior to heading south, he has had the benefit of 3 runs at the track where he has recorded a best time of 30.83. A greyhound to follow and can go a lot quicker than we have seen so far – one to follow.

It's been a long time since Spirited Flame journeyed around Ipswich but he does have a good record here. The winner of close to $80,000 in prizemoney he has been an outstanding chaser throughout his 50 start career. Out of form of late, if he can reproduce his form from earlier this year he will be a strong winning chance as he exits box 2 in the striped rug.

Beenleigh mentor Anne Southee engages Never Tell back over the 520m trip after campaigning over the distances of late. The exciting sprinter / stayer and son of El Galo and Georgia Anne has a fast 30.53 PB here, recorded in April 2012. Drawn widely in box 8 if he can avoid any trouble and interference he has the ability to power to the line late. With 8 wins from 14 starts at the track and trip a win cannot be discounted.

Race 7 – ANDREW SHEEAN'S PLASTERING CUP HEAT 4 520m – 9.59pm Qld time

Another quality heat race with lots of winning chances – the big query runner being box 5 chaser Clonakilty Man from Marulan trainer Brian McKivat. The March 2011 son of Vee Man Vane comes to Queensland after winning his last 2 starts at Wentworth Park, both in sub 30 second times, including 29.78 and 29.91. They are exciting runs at NSW premier track and it appears obvious that this has been a series targeted for the talented 35 kilogram chaser. Unknown if he has trialled on the track but does have a winning chance despite being allocated the visitor draw.

Yogi Blue draws box 1 for Yamanto trainer Peter O'Reilly. The son on Cool Effort – Opal Assassin has had a great 2013 making a number of feature finals including the recent Group 3 Gold Coast Cup final at Albion Park. Two starts ago won here in best of day 30.72 which is a good freshener for this feature. A super quick 30.28 PB here shows his ability and if he can reproduce that he will be unbeatable after drawing ideally in the cherry box.

The track and distance record of Honey Bouquet looks only ordinary on paper but she is a different greyhound to the one that last campaigned here. Time and experience has made her a top performer and Beachmere mentor has her firing with back to back best 8 wins at headquarters. She has a best time over this trip of 30.40 and if she can bring her Albion Park form to Ipswich she will be hard to beat – especially if she jumps from the boxes like she can.

Zipping Hurf looks another winning chance from the 4th heat and he has great with a 30.81 PB set May 2013. The Shane Ellis trained chaser has been comfortably beaten behind the flying Surfin' Kawati of late and if that dog can salute in heat 1 that form may look good for this. Drawn box 6 will need some early luck but can win.

Race 8 – IPSWICH RUGBY LEAGUE CUP HEAT 5 520m – 10.17pm Qld time

Shane Ellis continues his Ipswich Cup campaign with in the 5th heat – Not Held. Drawing box 1 and with a fast 30.40 PB at the track and trip he looks a great chance of qualifying for the rich final. With 25 career starts returning 10 wins and 6 placing's he will be well supported and fancied to progress. Can definately win despite the tough heat.

Craigie Whistler offspring Russian Red is the query runner here after being allocated box 7 for Placid Hills mentor Deborah Simon. The well-travelled greyhound is back where he started in the kennels of Simon. Southern state success with Kel Greenough in Victoria and John Mundy in South Australia indicates the high opinion placed on the February 2010 whelp. 35 starts for 11 wins and 8 placing's including a super-fast 30.34 PB set here in April 2012. First Queensland run back the only query and concern – watch the market.

Park Ridge trainer Reg Hazelgrove has had a wonderful time with the offspring of and one of the best has been box 2 runner Wise Forecast. $65,000 in prizemoney, 24 wins and 14 placing's from 58 career starts and fast wins at Albion Park and Ipswich just some of the highlights. Recent form looks poor but he likes racing here with 10 top 3 finishes from 12 starts including a super quick 30.29 PB set May 2012. It's an open heat with a number of chances and any of the other chasers could salute to no-one's surprise.

Race 9 – DIRTY DOG SUNGLASS SHAK CUP HEAT 6 520m – 10.37pm Qld time

Grandchester mentor and leading trainer Tony Brett will start super bitch Miss Lauryn in the 6th and final heat after she came up with box 3. A daughter of Queensland great Queen Lauryn she too is coming off a Lismore Cup campaign where she was unlucky in the final behind her litter sister Regal Lauryn. Drawn well beside the fast beginner in Cecil Henry she will be afforded room to move early and looks a strong winning chance to progress to yet another feature final. She will only need to repeat her brilliant 30.33 PB here to win.

Ipswich track specialist and greyhound of the year contender Black Book Bob steps up the 520 m trip for the first time in this the final heat. The 3 year old son of Surf Lorian – Kaycee Diva has been in wonderful short track form stringing together another picket fence of wins. Overall his career record stands at 58 starts for 24 wins and 17 placing's with 17 of those wins at the showgrounds circuit. The 520m looks as far as he wants to go but Troy Sharpe is known for getting his dogs to perform when it counts.

Darren Russell has another strong chaser in his kennel with box 8 sprinter Mysterious Thing. The 2 year old bitch is in outstanding form, as evidences by a recent 29.85 win at Albion Park when successful from box 2. Drawn out wide here, she has a fast 30.50 PB set in August 2013. Not yet a consistent week in week out performer, she does have lots of ability and if she brings her best form to this she will prove hard to beat.

South Maclean mentor Gregory Brennan brings Albion Park specialist Cecil Henry to Ipswich for the first time and he comes up with a favourable draw in box 2. The December 2010 son of Collision – has brilliant box speed and will be looking to lead the field early. The recent Group 3 Gold Coast Cup finalist has had no luck of late and the change of scenery may assist in sparking more race track success.

Box 4 runner Swap looks another chance in the final heat for trainer Glenn Smith. The well performed son of Collision – Velocity Miss has a best time of 30.58 here where he has also recorded 4 wins and 4 placing's from 12 starts. Winning 2 of his last 4 race track appearances he is in good form and looks an each way chance for the Velocity Lodge Partnership.

It looks a great night of racing at Ipswich this Saturday night with a big crowd expected on track for both the Ipswich Cup heats and the Corporate Dollars Final. With fast times expected expect the conditions to be hot on and off the track. ARG wishes all trainers and connections the best of luck.

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