2015 Group 2 Cranbourne Cup – free tips and best bookie odds
A BIG night of racing will take place on Saturday night, with one of the feature events being the Group 2 Cranbourne Cup (520 metres).
The $47,000-to-the-winner event has attracted a high class field including five Group race winners, with the eight finalists having won a massive $1,059,267 in combined prize money earnings.
The favourite for the feature is the Brett Bravo-trained Unlawful Entry which comes into the race as a recent winner of the Group 1 Hobart Thousand. The son of Knocka Norris and She Ain't Late appears to have gone to the next level in his last few starts and should be suited by the wide draw in box eight.
Bravo also prepares the second favourite in the Cup, with Secret Spell aiming to weave her magic from box three. The black bitch dropped back to the sprint trip for her heat after a successful stint over the middle distance, winning convincingly in a BON 30.11.
Also qualifying two for the final is former NSW trainer Steve White. His main chance appears to be the talented Tommy Brislane which bounced back to his best with a solid 30.36 heat victory, while Rare Pearl is not without a chance after taking out his qualifier in 30.43.
Injury plagued sprinting star Above All represents great value, but will have to contend with an awkward draw in box five. For those who like omen bets, it may be worthwhile considering that the dual Group 1 winner scored both of his victories at the elite level when wearing the yellow stretch vest. Can history repeat on Saturday night?
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The Group 2 Cranbourne Cup is race eight on the card and is set to jump at 8:22pm.
Below we have analysed the form of each finalist, with comments and tips from Australian Racing Greyhound's expert form analyst, Brad Bugeja.
Box One – Blue Revolver
Blue Dog – 32.7kg – February 2013
Swift Fancy x Inflated Ego
Prize money: $51,230
Trainer: Wayne Vassallo
Career: 45: 11-7-4
From box: 3: 0-0-1
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 30.61
Career Highlights: WON The Meadows 30.08, Wentworth Park 29.92, Sandown Park 29.21
“He has been struggling for a little while, however last week he was able to settle near the speed and he proved too strong in the closing stages. The time of 30.61 wasn't very flashy but he had to work hard in the race and he has always been a better chaser when on the lure. If he can step well from the red, he should be able to fire through and hold a forward spot and if the two moves wide through the corner again he might actually hold the lead. He is currently around the $7 mark and that appears to be good value.”
Best odds to win the Cranbourne Cup: $7.50 with Sportsbet
Box Two – Shared Equity
Black Bitch – 28.8kg – February 2013
Brett Lee x West On Bluebird
Prize money: $192,775
Trainer: Angela Langton
Career: 46: 22-4-2
From box: 5: 3-0-0
T/D: 2: 0-1-0
T/D Best: NBT
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 2 Ballarat Cup, 2ND 2015 Group 2 Bendigo Cup, 3RD 2015 Group 2 Warrnambool Classic, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Adelaide Cup, 2015 Group 2 Horsham Cup, 2015 Group 2 Geelong Cup, 2015 Group 3 Silver Bullet
“Faultless beginner and she is racing with a lot more strength these days. Last week she speared the lids again but she got lost through the corner and she was quickly headed before running an impressive second. I think she will be a lot better for the run this time around and if she fires to the early lead she will have a nice lead mid race and she may steal the prize. There is a bit of speed drawn around her but she has the most early speed of any chaser in the event and with a clean getaway she will have every chance to lead.”
Best odds to win the Cranbourne Cup: $5.50 with Bet365
Box Three – Secret Spell
Black Bitch – 28.7kg – January 2013
Bartrim Bale x Wicked Witch
Prize money: $263,355
Trainer: Brett Bravo
Career: 44: 23-4-2
From box: 4: 2-1-0
T/D: 5: 4-1-0
T/D Best: 29.71
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Hume Cup, 2014 Group 3 Cranbourne Puppy Classic, 2ND 2015 Group 3 Sir John Dillon Memorial, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Melbourne Cup, 2015 Group 1 Adelaide Cup, 2014 Group 2 Ballarat Cup, 2015 Group 1 Maturity Classic
“Highly impressive heat winner and she has won four of five over this track and trip, however I do believe she was a tad lucky to get a split at the first turn last week and that definitely helped her get the prize. She is likely to start as one of the favourites but I think she is well under the odds. There is a heap of speed drawn inside her and seven and eight will also come across hard, so if she half misses the kick she will likely find bother. Can obviously win but she is under the odds and I'm happy to risk here.”
Best odds to win the Cranbourne Cup: $5 with Crownbet
Box Four – Rare Pearl
Black Dog – 33.6kg – October 2012
Bekim Bale x La Pearl
Prize money: $51,062
Trainer: Steve White
Career: 38: 14-7-6
From box: 5: 2-2-1
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 30.43
Career Highlights: 3RD 2014 Group 2 Dapto Puppy Classic
“Can do a lot of things wrong in his races but one out he is probably the most talented chaser in the event. Last week he found trouble in the run and on the home turn he almost hit the 520m boxes but he was still able to run over the top of his rivals. He is currently big odds in early markets and he might be worth something small each way. He is going to get back early on but if he can gain a clear passage in the initial stages he should be there to pounce.”
Best odds to win the Cranbourne Cup: $13 with Crownbet
Box Five – Above All
Black Dog – 32.2kg – July 2012
Magic Sprite x Kara Janx
Prize money: $234,185
Trainer: Rob Britton
Career: 26: 13-4-2
From box: 5: 3-0-2
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 30.55
Career Highlights: WON 2014 Group 1 Hobart Thousand, 2015 Group 1 Silver Chief Classic, FINALIST 2014 Group 1 Melbourne Cup, 2015 Group 1 Temlee, 2015 Group 1 Hobart Thousand
“Has been a star chaser for quite some time and he turned in a great performance when scoring here last week in 30.55. The time wasn't flashy but he was able to overcome early difficulties and he still managed to hit the line well enough. The middle draw is a big disadvantage tonight as he doesn't really ping the lids and there will be a heap of speed coming across from the outside. He has the talent to win the race but he is going to need a lot of things to go his way.”
Best odds to win the Cranbourne Cup: $17 with Sportsbet
Box Six – Cosmic Owl
Black Bitch – 26.0kg – March 2013
Cosmic Rumble x Coulta Sky
Prize money: $78,565
Trainer: Jeff Britton
Career: 53: 13-8-5
From box: 8: 1-0-1
T/D: 3: 0-2-0
T/D Best: NBT
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2015 Group 3 SA Oaks
“Underrated chaser and she turned in a mighty effort when placed in her heat last week. She gave Unlawful Entry a big head start but she managed to get within a half length of him and her effort was really eye catching. If she had drawn the red I would have given her a great chance, however from the six draw she is likely to get crunched initially and I can't see her figuring in the finish.”
Best odds to win the Cranbourne Cup: $26 with Bet365
Box Seven – Tommy Brislane
Black Dog – 34.7kg – September 2012
Premier Fantasy x Mary Virginia
Prize money: $175,095
Trainer: Steve White
Career: 23: 15-2-1
From box: 4: 3-0-1
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 30.36
Career Highlights: WON 2014 Group 1 Dapto Megastar, 2014 Group 2 Bob Payne, FINALIST 2014 Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic, 2ND 2014 NSW Sprint Championship
“Explosive beginner when on song and he was always in control when posting a smart 30.36 heat win. His first section of 5.47 is handy but he is capable of probably going a length or so faster and if he does he becomes a serious chance. The big concern is that he must lead to win his races and with the speed in one, two and three, he may struggle to get across. Can win but will need to cross and lead.”
Best odds to win the Cranbourne Cup: $13 with Sportsbet
Box Eight – Unlawful Entry
Brindle and White Dog – 30.8kg – December 2013
Knocka Norris x She Ain't Late
Prize money: $203,905
Trainer: Brett Bravo
Career: 23: 12-1-3
From box: 5: 2-0-1
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 30.23
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Hobart Thousand, 2015 Group 2 Great Chase, 2015 Listed Cup Night Sprint
“Easily the most improved chaser in the country and he is racing in great fashion. He was having his first look at the track last week and after missing the kick he was able to show a ridiculous turn of foot before scoring in 30.23. He has come up with the favourable draw, however the abundance of early speed underneath is a small concern. He is going to start favourite, however is quite short and probably under the odds for me. Can win but can't afford to be posted wide for the entire trip.”
Best odds to win the Cranbourne Cup: $2.25 with Crownbet
1st Reserve – Cut Loose Max
Black Dog – 31.9kg – March 2013
El Galo x Girl Aloud
Prize money: $81,635
Trainer: Geoff Howell
Career: 40: 10-13-2
From box: N/A
T/D: 4: 0-1-1
T/D Best: NBT
Career Highlights: 2ND 2015 Group 2 Geelong Cup
“More than capable chaser and he is ultra consistent. He was very unlucky in his heat and if he somehow managed to gain a start he could seriously threaten.”
Best odds to win the Cranbourne Cup: $13 with William Hill
2nd Reserve – Starlight Jack
Blue Dog – 32.0kg – November 2012
Kinloch Brae x Starlight Delly
Prize money: $105,790
Trainer: Mario Briganti
Career: 44: 20-9-3
From box: N/A
T/D: 1: 0-1-0
T/D Best: NBT
Career Highlights: WON 2014 Group 3 Young Stars Classic, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Perth Cup
“Former star prospect which is a long way from his best, however he did show some improvement when placed in his heat last week. Unlikely to gain a start and would struggle if he did.”
Best odds to win the Cranbourne Cup: $51 with Crownbet
Top Four: 2 – 1 – 4 – 8
Suggested Bets:
Win bets on Blue Revolver and Shared Equity
Boxed Quinella: 1,2,4,8 ($6 for 100%)
Exacta: 1,2/1,2,4,8 ($6 for 100%)
Trifecta: 2/1,4,8/Field ($18 for 100%)
Trifecta: 1,2/1,2,4,8/1,2,3,4,6,8 ($24 for 100%)