Early speed key for Paddy Wants Pats in Australian Cup final

Paddy Wants Pats racing news

In the big 1 races, a greyhound with early pace is what you want, and the Kelly Bravo-trained has just that.

After leading all of the way in the fourth race of the heats on Saturday night, the son of x is a $7.50 chance in early markets with .

Owner/trainer Kelly Bravo said early pace certainly helped get over from the squeeze box in the heats and her star performer would have to use the same tactics after drawing poorly again in box six.

“He tends to draw a lot of ordinary boxes, so it was good to see him show his early pace and lead,” Bravo said.

“In the final, ideally the five goes left and the seven goes right and doesn't begin as well as last week in the heat.”

Setting greyhounds for big races is an art and keeping them sound and happy are keys, and it seems the 35kg black dog is starting to mature at the right time.

Paddy Wants Pats ran 5.10 to the first marker last start, and a repeat of that will see him close to the lead on the first turn. Remaining trouble-free in the first 100m is the key.

“He's always shown us that he's had plenty of ability,” Bravo said.

“He broke in well but he has been a bit frustrating at times, but he's finally starting to put it all together.

“We have never made an Australian Cup final, so it's just exciting to be there with a dog we own after racing his mother.”

The -trained has opened up an early $3.30 favourite, although first reserve Aston Rupee would be sure to start favourite in the unlikely event of him gaining a run in the final.

Lala Kiwi was the fastest heat winner last week but will have to overcome a tricky draw in box four.

Team Dailly has four in the race with Gypsy Bun, Daph's Ascend and Zippy Tesla also gaining a start.

The market was framed early on Monday morning, with a clear favourite at $1.70.

After drawing the blue rug again, punters have already started taking the shorts about the -trained stayer to win the $100,000 first prize.

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Dean m
Dean m
2 years ago

Don’t give my boy Fernando’s quest a shot in the fanta bale, has deadly early speed. Could pinch a big break.