Tap An Rack Ready To Fire In Ipswich Gold Cup Final
With a name like Tap An Rack, the Ipswich Showgrounds race caller could easily get tongue-tied during tomorrow night's big race.
However, former policeman Graham Hall just hopes his greyhound avoids any trouble in the City of Ipswich Gold Cup final.
Named after a firearm term, Tap An Rack will shoot for the lead from the tricky box five over the 520m journey.
“He probably would have liked a better box but you can't get to choose those things,” said Hall, preparing for his first final at the Ipswich Showgrounds.
“He's a good chasing dog and a strong finisher.
“We need a nice clean run to be up in the finish.”
Marburg-based Hall has been involved in greyhounds for 20 years. However, it's only been in recent years the regular Ipswich Showgrounds visitor has become more serious with training.
Hall couldn't recall if Tap An Rack had won any of its eight victories from box five.
But he rates him capable enough to power home after winning his semi-final from box one in 30.50s.
“It's an open race,” he said of the final worth $25,000 to winning connections. “There's a lot of speed inside him but there's no dog in the race that can't win.
“He'd be the best dog we've had for a long long time.”
A greyhound to watch on Tap An Rack's outside is the Barry Morris-trained Side Cutter.
Side Cutter finished second to Tap An Rack in the semi-final, running 30.73s from box two.
Morris, who's enjoyed final success at Ipswich in the past, said the eight box favours his first City of Ipswich Gold Cup finalist.
“I think he's suited out there,” Lowood-based Morris said.
“He's a good beginner. He's got to get out in front.”
Side Cutter has won three races at Albion Park from box eight. His record is nine wins from 19 starts.
Morris has 20 dogs in work, regularly racing at Albion Park. However, he enjoys running his dogs in the quality Ipswich races.
“I think this one's wide open,” he said, tipping the Tony Brett-trained Robo Raptor (box two) as the dog to beat.
Courtesy : David Lems, The Queensalnd Times