Middle distance racing may not often be the stage where the greats of the sport forge their names, but a quick look at the honour roll of the Hume Cup leaves you under no illusions about the quality of greyhound that contest the Group One event.
Greyhounds the ilk of Temlee, National Poppy, Saltwater Sid and more recently Fallen Zorro and Amity Bale have all won the race which will be contested over 600 metres at The Meadows this Monday night.
In 2014, $75,000 awaits the winning connections of the race which includes the flying My Bro Fabio (2) as well as the exciting youngster Eliza Blanche (8) and the in-form Ralphy Cinel (7).
Brooke and Jamie Ennis comes into the race with the training honours after qualifying two of the initial finalists and also getting a third through to the final via the scratching of Know Class. Their team is made up of My Bro Fabio (2), Oscura (4) and Warrior King (9).
ARG Comments: Dropped back from longer trips to cause an upset when taking out his heat in 34.63. He does not win out of turn and is yet to salute from box one in six career outings. He looks to be facing a very stern test here.
Jamie Ennis (Kennel Representative): “Everyone knows his ability but no bad luck is needed. It will be good to see him get through the first bend without getting shuffled back. There is plenty of respect for others in the field. Eliza Blanche went well last week although she has drawn the wrong side of the track this week. He is tenacious and very fast and it would be good to get a Group 1 against his name.”
Best The Meadows Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
34.12
34.12
9.05
9.08
Box 3
Race Odds
$7.50
Heat Replay
Flying Twist
Trainer
Andrea Dailly
Owner
Kim Hollway
Prizemoney
$81,405
Last 10 Starts
1542311112
39 Months
Black
Bitch
by
Velocette
–
Valley Twist
Start
Good
Running
Middle
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$1,628
Rating
96
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
50
15
5
5
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
30%
50%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
3
2
1
0
Box 3 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
11
3
0
2
Tom Dailly (Kennel Representative) – “My Bro Fabio will be odds on. Flying Twist is very strong. If My Bro Fabio doesn't get clear then I expect Flying Twist to run a really good race. If My Bro Fabio gets clear, he will win.”
Jamie Ennis (Kennel Representative): “He went terrific first-up at The Meadows over the 600m distance. Prior to that he went to Cranbourne and struck a hard heat in the Derby. Things didn't go his way early in that run but he is a dog for the future and looks perfect for the Sale Cup. He will drop to the fence early but lacks pace but he will be looking to make good ground. This is the first Group race for the owner.”
ARG Comments: A smart beginner who could prove to be a very tough nut to crack should he lob on the bunny. He took out his heat in a credible 34.22 and if he is doing that from the front in this final then he may be able to lead all the way. The key for him will be finding the front early.
Best The Meadows Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
34.22
34.22
8.93
8.93
Box 7
Race Odds
$8.50
Heat Replay
Ralphy Cinel
Trainer
Joe Borg
Owner
Michael Crowe
Prizemoney
$53,740
Last 10 Starts
1252121111
36 Months
Black
Dog
by
High Earner
–
Fantasy Parade
Start
Good
Running
Middle
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$1,919
Rating
95
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
28
11
6
2
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
40%
68%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
4
4
0
0
Box 7 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
1
0
0
1
ARG Comments: A greyhound who is right in the middle of a purple patch. He has won five of his last six and has a perfect record at The Meadows winning four from four. He has won from both inside and outside boxes but will need to be prominent early in this race to be a genuine winning hope. He does his best racing from in front so he is another who's race could be decided in the first 100 metres.
Best The Meadows Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
34.44
34.46
8.89
9.00
Box 8
Race Odds
$5.50
Heat Replay
Eliza Blanche
Trainer
Darren McDonald
Owner
C K Roberts Syndicate
Prizemoney
$40,405
Last 10 Starts
4311111171
28 Months
Black
Bitch
by
Radley Bale
–
Jackpot Return
Start
Good
Running
Rail
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$2,244
Rating
95
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
18
12
1
1
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
67%
78%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
2
2
0
0
Box 8 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
4
1
1
0
Darren McDonald (Trainer): “This is a hard box for her. If she can get across she is some chance. She has pulled up well from last week's run.”
Best The Meadows Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
34.19
34.19
9.04
9.04
1st Res
Race Odds
$8.00
Heart Replay
Warrior King
Trainer
Brooke Ennis
Owner
Wales Knox Syndicate
Prizemoney
$104,005
Last 10 Starts
6443123572
32 Months
Red Brindle
Dog
by
Turanza Bale
–
Flamenco
Start
Risky
Running
Middle
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$2,476
Rating
91
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
42
13
7
8
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
30%
67%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
1
0
1
0
Box Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Jamie Ennis (Kennel Representative): “The draw will help My Bro Fabio out as Warrior King likes to stay in the middle of the track and being 36kg he is hard to get around. He will improve off last week's run as he hasn't had much luck from wide draws lately. He runs well from middle draws. He had a couple of niggling injuries that we just got right before his last run. He has now had a good 10 days and he could be the surprise packet. He has shown in the past he is a good dog and he shouldn't be underestimated.”
Best The Meadows Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
NBT
34.56
9.18
9.18
2nd Res
Race Odds
Heat Replay
Coulta Rock
Trainer
David Curtain
Owner
David Curtain
Prizemoney
$31,735
Last 10 Starts
3431F34125
27 Months
Black
Dog
by
Velocette
–
Coulta Sally
Start
Good
Running
Rail
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$962
Rating
89
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
33
9
5
8
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
27%
67%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
3
1
1
0
Box Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Comments: A consistent chaser in easier class who would need to improve on his best of 34.76 to worry the big guns if he gains a start in this race.
Best The Meadows Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
34.76
34.56
9.08
9.08
My Bro Fabio (2) showed last week that he has the edge on most of these. He loves the inside and only needs some early luck to blow them away.
Ralphy Cinel (7) and Deadly Boy (6) loom as dangers from the wider boxes if they are able to land on the lure early and make their own luck. Flying Twist (3) is another in a similar predicament but she will need to outpace My Bro Fabio early in proceedings to have a chance.
Eliza Blanche (8) has an awkward draw to contend with and faces the toughest race of her short career, but her record speaks for itself and she has to be considered.
Warrior King (9) is blessed with talent but is likely to need luck early and will also be looking to recapture some of his best form to be any chance of getting the chocolates in this race.