Outside Pass the favourite to win 2016 Brisbane Cup
OUTSIDE Pass is the fastest qualifier heading into next week's Group 1 Brisbane Cup (520m) after a sensational 29.61 victory at Albion Park on Thursday night.
Stepping from box three in the final heat of the night, the daughter of Head Bound and Tina's Show was able to assume the early lead and from there it was a case of times and margins, with Outside Pass crossing the line five and a half lengths clear of Lady Abigail (box eight).
The victory was Outside Pass' 11th over the track and trip at Albion Park and her 16th overall from 37 career outings.
The black bitch will start from box seven in the final, a draw from which she has won two of five appearances with an additional three minor placings, with Crownbet subsequently installing her as the $2.60 favourite to claim her first group 1 title
In order to take home the trophy, Outside Pass will have to overcome a quality field, including a trio of chasers trained by leading conditioner Tony Brett.
Brett's best chance according to bookies is Thirty Talks, which is the second favourite at $4 following his terrific heat win.
Stepping cleanly from box one in heat one, the brindle powerhouse got a clear run to the first turn before switching to the outside of the leader Simply Magic (box four) and charging to the front.
Once on the bunny Thirty Talks continued to extend his lead, bolting to the line nine-and-a-half lengths clear of El Chad (box two) in a slick 29.77.
The win made it three in a row for Thirty Talks which recently took out the Group 3 Ipswich Cup, with his career earnings now standing at $201,291.
Brett recorded a running double on Thursday night with Zabdon Ferrari taking out heat two.
Starting wearing the black and white stretch vest, Zabdon Ferrari was well away and was able to claim the lead around the first turn, holding off a late challenge from Not Like Tommy (box seven) to record a narrow win by a neck in 29.86.
Brett's third finalist will be the regally-bred Whata Nice Size which produced a powerful performance to score in the fourth heat.
Despite an ordinary beginning from box six, the black dog was able to muster pace in the early stages, working his way into second through the catching pen before burning to the lead down the back straight and sprinting clear.
The son of Elite Blue Size and Chevy Cherokee crossed the line five lengths ahead of Lauryn's Best (box one), stopping the clock in 29.88.
Brett's greyhounds have drawn alongside each other in the final, with Zabdon Ferrari starting from box two, Thirty Talks in the three and Whata Nice Size set to exit wearing blue.
The remaining heat was the only qualifier to go to an interstate greyhound, with Blazin' Bomber set to fly the flag for Victoria.
The son of Kinloch Brae and Absolute Stunna began fairly from box seven on Thursday, sitting behind early leader Crazy Vixen (box five) for the majority of the event before finding the front in the home straight and drawing clear to clock a sizzling 29.75.
The final of the Group 1 Brisbane Cup will be run at Albion Park next Friday night and is worth $75,000 to the winner.
Group 1 Brisbane Cup – box draw
1 – Crazy Vixon $34
2 – Zabdon Ferrari $4.80 with Crownbet
3 – Thirty Talks $4
4 – Whata Nice Size $12
5 – Blazin' Bomber $4.60
6 – Lady Abigail $21
7 – Outside Pass $2.60
8 – Not Like Tommy $34
1st Res – Lauryn's Best $34
2nd Res – El Chad $41