2016 Group 3 Queensland Cup – odds, tips and free runner preview

NORM The Storm will be out to capture his second feature race title when he lines up in Thursday night's 3 (600 metres) at .

The son of Magic Sprite and is the $2.30 favourite with Bet365 following on from his slashing 34.73 heat victory last week and will exit from box six, the only alley he is yet to salute from.

Trained by Mathew Reid and owned by his father Dennis, Norm The Storm comes into the race in terrific form having recorded 12 victories throughout his limited career, the highlight thus far being Group 3 Gold Coast Cup (520 metres) at Albion Park last October.

Also right in the market is the consistent Velocity Shirl (box seven) which recorded a slick 34.75 in her heat – just two one hundredths slower than Norm The Storm. The regally-bred daughter of and Velocity Cloud is also draw awkwardly this week, but should run a solid race if she can find a nice spot in the initial stages.

Cyndie's Magic (box three) and Golfing Amy (box four) both share the $6.50 quote, with the latter winning her heat in a respectable 35.08, however she will have to overcome box four if she is to feature, while Cyndie's Magic is better known as a stayer but is sure to be flashing home late.

In an open race, Smashniak Gold (box one) and Parchment (box two) are also under double figures at $9.50 a piece, with both possessing ability and appearing to be suitably drawn along the fence.

The Group 3 Queensland Cup is race seven at Albion Park on Thursday night and is set to jump at 9:58pm AEDT.

Box One – Smashniak Gold
Black Dog – 30.5kg – May 2013
Lochinvar Marlow x Am Classy
Prize money: $33,685
Trainer: George Kadniak
Career: 52: 7-13-3
Box: 5 starts: 0 wins, 3 placings
T/D: 23: 4-5-2
T/D Best: 34.83
Career Highlights: WON Albion Park 34.83, 37.12

“Capable of punching up towards the lead in the early stages and will be looking to pinch a break. Mixes his form but is capable of being competitive on his day.”

Odds to win the QLD Cup: $9.50

Box Two – Parchment
Brindle Dog – 31.3kg – April 2013
Dyna Tron x Velocity Zap
Prize money: $22,268
Trainer:
Career: 34: 7-6-7
Box: 5 starts: 1 win, 4 placings
T/D: 1: 0-1-0
T/D Best: 35.04
Career Highlights: WON Ipswich 30.57

“Stepped up to the middle distance for the first time in his heat and was far from disgraced when running second behind Norm The Storm. He is boxed well on the inside but will need to step well to put himself in the mix against a top quality field.”

Odds to win the QLD Cup: $9.50

Box Three – Cyndie's Magic
Black Bitch – 26.7kg – March 2013
Magic Sprite x Regal Silver
Prize money: $110,913
Trainer: Bill Elson
Career: 58: 14-17-8
Box: 8 starts: 3 wins, 1 placing
T/D: 12: 4-4-2
T/D Best: 34.84
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2015 Group 1 , 2015 Group 1 Brisbane Cup, 2015 Group 2

“Ultra consistent little bitch which has been desperately unlucky not to have won a feature final throughout her career. She will be giving them a big start but if she gets a clear run she should be rattling home at the finish.”

Odds to win the QLD Cup: $6.50

Box Four – Golfing Amy
Blue Bitch – 24.5kg – January 2012
Goodesy x Miss Amy Jade
Prize money: $53,380
Trainer: Michael Brauer
Career: 70: 14-16-8
Box: 5 starts: 1 win, 2 placings
T/D: 40: 9-8-6
T/D Best: 34.94
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2014 Group 1 Gold Cup

“Four-year-old which has been a terrific money spinner for connections throughout her career. Last week she was back to her best with a tidy 35.08 win, however she is going to need a lot of luck against a few smart ones from the poor draw.”

Odds to win the QLD Cup: $6.50

Box Five – Marluca
White and Brindle Bitch – 26.5kg – October 2013
Where's Pedro x Classy Love
Prize money: $20,671
Trainer: Selena Zammit
Career: 18: 5-4-0
Box: 0 starts
T/D: 6: 2-1-0
T/D Best: 34.96
Career Highlights: WON Albion Park 29.97, 30.17, 34.96, 25.14

“Has scored a couple of nice wins over this distance range from limited starts, however she hasn't stepped particularly well at her past four attempts so she runs the risk of finding bother from the squeeze.”

Odds to win the QLD Cup: $15

Box Six – Norm The Storm
Black Dog – 33.2kg – April 2013
Magic Sprite x Bellbird Park
Prize money: $86,013
Trainer: Mathew Reid
Career: 24: 12-3-4
Box: 1 start: 0 wins, 1 placing
T/D: 4: 2-1-1
T/D Best: 34.69
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 3 Gold Coast Cup, 3RD 2015 Ipswich Derby, FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Maiden

“Absolutely airborne and with a clean getaway he will be very hard to stop. Last week he was fair to begin but was able to punch up from box one and was too classy for his rivals. Box six is a bit of a bother in this race, but if he can get into some clear galloping room he should win.”

Odds to win the QLD Cup: $2.30

Box Seven – Velocity Shirl
Black Bitch – 26.2kg – January 2013
Collision x Velocity Cloud
Prize money: $32,252
Trainer: Peter Wilson
Career: 33: 8-8-6
Box: 2 starts: 0 wins, 2 placing
T/D: 4: 2-0-0
T/D Best: 34.69
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2014 Eric Thompson Maiden, 2015 Albion Park Young Guns

“Consistent little bitch which has won two of her past three over this trip in commanding fashion. She handled herself well from a wide draw last week so if she can jump on terms and find a nice spot early she should be charging home into some money.”

Odds to win the QLD Cup: $4

Box Eight – Darcy's Curse
Brindle Bitch – 26.4kg – March 2013
Collision x Supreme Odessa
Prize money: $20,144
Trainer: Peter Ruetschi
Career: 23: 5-4-3
Box: 0 starts
T/D: 5: 1-0-1
T/D Best: 34.92
Career Highlights: WON Ipswich 25.03, Albion Park 30.11

“Showed good early toe in her heat last week when finishing third behind Velocity Shirl. Doesn't have a good record from wide boxes so happy to risk her.”

Odds to win the QLD Cup: $21

1st Reserve – Sarajevo Girl
Red Brindle Bitch – 24.2kg – July 2012
Velocette x Miss Sarajevo
Prize money: $24,455
Trainer: Richard Nelson
Career: 45: 6-8-7
Box: N/A
T/D: 26: 4-6-5
T/D Best: 35.08
Career Highlights: WON Albion Park 35.27, 35.28, 35.43

“Looks outclassed if she gains a run.”

Odds to win the QLD Cup: $12

2nd Reserve – Minnie Impact
Black Bitch – 25.5kg – July 2013
Magic Sprite x Twin Impact
Prize money: $25,452
Trainer: Raymond Burman
Career: 68: 6-7-6
Box: N/A
T/D: 29: 2-4-3
T/D Best: 35.07
Career Highlights: WON Albion Park 30.34, 30.43, 35.24

“Form isn't good enough to be competitive in a race like this.”

Odds to win the QLD Cup: $51

Tips: 6-7-2-3

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