Borat Set For Lismore Cup Glory
Hot and cold Borat brought back his A-game to sizzle around the Lismore track in 29.88 seconds to stamp his intentions to add another group race to his impressive CV in the final of the Lismore Workers Club Cup tomorrow night.
Much maligned in recent times and coming off a string of average performances, the old Borat was on display again much to the relief of trainer John Carruthers.
He will no doubt start a warm favourite in the final after drawing the widest box, where he was so damaging from the week before.
His main rivals look to be local hope Katakolo, who has a magnificent record at the venue, and bright youngster Vivaldi Star, who surprisingly qualified ahead of his more publicised brother Snozz and is a live chance to taste group success.
The action kicks off on Tuesday night at 6.45pm with the Lismore Workers Club Cup Final scheduled to run at 9.05pm.
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Lismore Workers Cup Final
- BOX 1 KATAKOLO $3.50
Heat: 1st running 29.98, beating Vivaldi Star by a head
Katakolo led from the boxes to the post, staving off a late challenge from Vivaldi Star to score in fast time in his heat. The most experienced Lismore greyhound in the field, he represents great each way value. - BOX 2 VIVALDI STAR $4.50
Heat: 2nd running 30.00, beaten by Katakolo
The Jason Mackay trained youngster overshadowed brother Snozz to qualify for the final just missing on the line to Katakolo. He might suffer from déjà vu with Katakolo drawn to lead again but he will improve on that effort and is quite capable of challenging Borat and co. - BOX 3 WHIRLY STORM $9.00
Heat: 1st running 30.16, beating Lethal Mariska by ¾ of a length
The Queenslander scored an upset at $16.20 when she led all the way in her heat to the delight of her travelling trainer Reg Hazlegrove. Has never lost from box two to four, but this is her biggest ask to date and she will need to do everything right. - BOX 4 LORD ELITE $34.00
Heat: 2nd running 30.50, beaten by Lucky Fina
Only battled away fairly behind Lucky Fina in the slowest heat of the night last week. This is a big step up in class and he looks tested here although he has only missed a place four times in his career. - BOX 5 INTELLIGENCE $9.00
Heat: 2nd running 30.23, beaten by Borat
Youngest greyhound in the field, Intelligence progressed through the Vic Peters Classic series well but found it too tough chasing Borat last week. Speed from his immediate right means he may not get early running room and could be out the back. - BOX 6 LUCKY FINA $7.00
Heat: 1st running 30.34, beating Lord Elite by 2.25 lengths
Tiny sprinting queen who made it three wins in a row with her all the way win here last week. Move to a middle box in a hot group field is of concern but she is in top form so should be respected. - BOX 7 LETHAL MARISKA $34.00
Heat: 2nd running 30.21, beaten by Whirly Storm
The likely outsider of the field, he held off Watts Wise to secure a place in the final and while the old adage is that anything can happen in racing, it would be a major boilover if he was to figure here. - BOX 8 BORAT $2.70
Heat: 1st running 29.88, beating Intelligence by 5 lengths
Enigmatic chaser who was back to his best, running the quickest time of the night and signalling he may be back to the form that saw him win the Group 1 National Derby at the start of the year. Boxed perfectly out wide, he will be extremely hard to beat. - BOX 9 WATTS WISE $9.00
Heat: 3rd running 30.22, beaten by Whirly Storm and Lethal Mariska
Disappointing last week when a beaten favourite, having every chance to be closer to the winner. Has a good record at Lismore but would need to find a few lengths to challenge here. - BOX 10 BOBALONG FRIEND $21.00
Heat: 3rd running 30.28, beaten by Katakolo and Vivaldi Star
This short course specialist stepped up to the 520m and performed admirably when a clear third behind Katakolo and Vivaldi Star in his heat. Doubt he is up to group racing so will need all the breaks if he sneaks into the field
And our selections ?
Well after our good run with the public voting, I'm happy to go with the current state on the our voting polls : 1st Borat, 2nd Katakolo, 3rd Whirly Storm.