Balts Orson books Townsville Cup berth with Wildcard win
Balts Orson stamped his ticket into the Group 3 Townsville Cup Final after taking out the Townsville Wildcard on Tuesday night.
The Jay Schafer-trained chaser was sent out in the 498m contest as a $9.50 chance with top online greyhound bookmakers.
At box rise, Winlock All Over ($8.50) punched through to lead, before Balts Orson took over at the front as the field swung for home.
He would win by half a length, beating home Young Rob ($8) and Eyes On Wooler ($4.80) in a time of 28.72.
Townsville Wildcard replay – Balts Orson
Balts Orson finished third behind Tap Out Mickey and winner Young Rob last week in the heats for the Wildcard.
The final win means he will bypass the Townsville Cup heats and head straight to the $75,000-to-the-winner final on August 25.
Last year, Redemption Day won the Wildcard and went on to win the Townsville Cup Final for trainer Harold Hovi.
It will be a chance at redemption for Balts Orson after he finished runner-up in the Group 3 Townsville Cup last year, behind the Frank Hancock-trained chaser Horace.
Turning four later this year, he is not showing signs of slowing down, having recorded his fastest time (28.50) over the Townsville Cup distance on June 20 this year.
The Orson Allen x Real Obsession chaser has 15 wins and 24 placings from 66 starts and has banked $65,505 in prize money for connections.
All-in betting markets for the Townsville Cup Final have the Selena Zammit-trained Jay Is Jay as $4.80 race favourite, with Balts Orson back in the pack on $26.