Dyna on track for Group 1 double
REIGNING Melbourne Cup champion Dyna Double One looks poised to claim his second Group 1 triumph in less than a fortnight after his brilliant display in Thursday night's Brisbane Cup (520 metres) heats at Albion Park.
Starting from box three in the last of six qualifiers, the son of Barcia Bale and Crystin Bale was given some clear galloping room in the early stages that allowed him to explode away to an early lead. Once out in front the black speed machine was never in danger as he charged clear to score by a widening five and three quarter lengths in a breathtaking 29.53 – just two one hundredths off his own track record.
Trained by Andrea Dailly, Dyna Double One has won 23 of 42 career starts, highlighted by his stunning victory in Australia's most prestigious event, the Group 1 Melbourne Cup, where he ran down his superstar kennel mate Fernando Bale to claim the $420,000 winner's cheque.
Local chaser Cyndie's Magic ran a terrific race to finish second behind Dyna Double One and her personal time of 29.94 will see her make the final as one of the two fastest seconds.
Also shining in Thursday's heats was Hunter Valley sprinter Old Spice which clocked a dazzling 29.76 at his debut in the Sunshine State.
Beginning brilliantly from box three, the son of Lochinvar Marlow and Takeover Teddy rocketed straight to the early lead and was never headed, charging to the line five lengths clear of Macnivek and race favourite Norm The Storm.
Despite his double figure price, Old Spice went into the series with terrific form having won three of his past five starts at Wentworth Park for Terry Priest, and has now won nine of his 31 starts with over $28,000 in prizemoney earnings.
Leading Queensland trainer Tony Brett will also be represented in this year's $100,000-to-the-winner final with the evergreen Flash Reality.
The son of Premier Fantasy and Orara Flash started as the $1.60 favourite in his heat following his terrific 24.59 track record performance at Ipswich the week prior and won like a good thing should after a swift beginning from box eight, clocking a slick 29.98.
Despite turning four years of age in December, the black chaser, already a Group 1 winner over the track and distance at Albion Park, is racing like a new greyhound since resuming from a spell earlier this month, with three wins from as many starts.
The other heat winners on Thursday night were Chatsworthy (29.82), Fantastic Spiral (30.14) and Cervelo (30.00).
The Group 1 Brisbane Cup will be run and won next Thursday night at Albion Park.
Group 1 Brisbane Cup market
Box One – Chatsworthy – $15
Box Two – Old Spice – $8.50
Box Three – Fantastic Spiral – $7.50
Box Four – Dyna Double One – $1.65 with Bet365
Box Five – Cervelo – $26
Box Six – Flash Reality – $4.20
Box Seven – Simpatico – $15
Box Eight – Cyndie's Special – $26
1st Reserve – Inspector Cloud – $15
2nd Reserve – Macnivek – $26