Grande Siyan Quickest Of The Canberra Cup Heats
Arguably the best night of racing in the Nation's Capital, Sunday evening did not disappoint with the running of the Group 3 Climate Doctor Canberra Cup and Anytime Fitness Cannonball heats.
With the sprinters first to go it was Lorraine Roy's Bradman's Willow who set the challenge for the following three heats recording a slick 7.54 first split, finishing three lengths clear of Houdini Lad in the fastest of the heats 17.76.
After a disappointing sixth to Cool Aussie last week, Milk Run made the most of the cherry, stepping well to lead all the way in 17.81, holding out Victorian Dulcie's Cherry.
Short price favourite Walkaway Freddy was all the rage in heat three, with his impeccable 100% record from the pink, the blue brindle dog did not disappoint crossing the field to lead all the way, Grey Cherry giving Des Trethowan two qualifiers in the Cannoball final, with the six dog taking ground off the early leader to only be beaten by one and a quarter lengths.
Racing in good form Bells Fair returned for his second crack at the Cannonball, the Central West trained black dog making the most of box one to pick up early leader Jetwash, beating the white and black dog in 17.96.
Box draw for the Anytime Fitness Cannonball will see fastest qualifier Bradman's Willow start favourite.
Cannonball Box Draw
- Box 1 Bradman's Willow
- Box 2 Jetwash
- Box 3 Dulcie's Cherry
- Box 4 Grey Cherry
- Box 5 Houdini Lad
- Box 6 Bells Fair
- Box 7 Walkaway Freddy
- Box 8 Milk Run
- 1st Res 9 Sticky Boots
- 2nd Res 10 Evil Tadmore
Despite missing some of the big names in racing the Group 3 Climate Doctor Canberra Cup heats still produced some sensational racing.
The opening heat saw True Kihael show it's class opening up a healthy margin to book it's place in next week's $15,000 final clocking 30.52, Tinashe Bale for Margaret Bannerman coming in second.
With good current form Runaway Promises put her best paw forward in heat two for Andy Jones, the fawn bitch taking up the lead through the pen, opening up just enough to have a buffer from a strong finishing Premier Moment who stormed home to be beaten by a head in 30.61.
Having made the move north for the Canberra Cup Grande Siyan is the fastest final qualifier, taking out heat three in 30.39, beating Mighty Albert by two and three quarter lengths.
The white and red fawn dog, who is a litter brother to two Canberra specialists; Facial and Suffocate, seeming to change his wide running ways since joining the Malone camp, clinching to the rails in the impressive win.
The final heat going the way of current track record holder Licence To Dance who posted a smart start to finish win in 30.40, six and three quarter lengths ahead of Brencole Bale, who gives Reefton trainer Margaret Bannerman two starters in the final.
With the box draw completed track side, Licence To Dance and Grande Siyan are likely to start equal favourites.
Group 3 Climate Doctor Canberra Cup Box Draw
- Box 1 True Kihael
- Box 2 Runaway Promises
- Box 3 Mighty Albert
- Box 4 Tinashe Bale
- Box 5 Grande Siyan
- Box 6 Licence To Dance
- Box 7 Brencole Bale
- Box 8 Premier Moment
- 1st Res 9 Exotic Ghost
- 2nd Res 10 Bluey Tadmore
Supporting the heats the final of the Lockwood 5th Grade sprint saw first reserve Kyle Izmir improve on his PB, clocking 7.58, 17.81, three and a quarter lengths over favourite Cawbourne Lorna andother one and half lengths back to Trimtex.
Making the move to Gunning kennels, Miss Reblee picked up her second career win taking out the 600m Novice in 35.61.
The black Bombastic Shiraz x Rosey Rita bitch finally meeting a similar class of staying greyhounds after coming up against Gold Slammer in July.
Just getting up on the line over Vallee Temple and Evil Tadmore the trifecta returning in the order of $300 for lucky punters.
Canberra continues it's Cup racing week with a 11 race card Tuesday (8th Sept) before the Cup and Cannonball final on Sunday.