Electrified back at full power in time for Perth Cup final
In an ominous warning for his rivals, Steve Shinners believes Electrified can only improve for the Perth Cup final in Cannington on Saturday night.
The star two-year-old drew a good lane of box three after running a scorching heat, beating runner-up Quick Smart by 3 ½ lengths and crossing the line in 29.63 seconds.
As a result, the second-placegetter from the Australian Cup Consolation at The Meadows last month is a $2.60 winning chance behind Jamie Marsh's $2.50 favourite, Elite Machine.
But importantly, Electrified is back to his vibrant self having struggled following his flight back to Western Australia from Melbourne.
That showed in his second in the Perth Cup Prelude, crossing the line in 29.95 seconds, before improving for the heat.
“People don't realise at The Meadows and Albion Park the lures are a lot louder than over our way with the quiet safe-chase lure,” Shinners told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“It tends to take one or two runs back to get the gist of things. He's the type of dog who needs continuity.
“By Wednesday or Thursday I thought ‘gee he's just not his usual bright and bubbly self'.
“We ran a course of antibiotics for him after the (Perth Cup Prelude) run and freshened him up.
“He was cherry-ripe (last Saturday) night, and he should improve a little more on the run home.”
Shinners was proud of the effort Electrified put up in the Australian Cup Consolation, finishing second to Kelsey Bale and crossing the line in 29.65 seconds.
It was further evidence that he thrives alongside the nation's best sprinters.
“I think an ordinary box draw cost him in that heat (running second from box six in a time of 30 seconds), otherwise he could've got through to the final,” he said.
“He was massive in the Consolation, which tells you could've won the Cup by three lengths.”
2023 Perth Cup Heat 6 – Electrified (1st)
Now a more consistent chaser than kennelmate Amplified, Electrified is one of the top sprinters in Western Australia.
Shinners believes his star dog is ready to win his first race at Group 1 level in his hometown Perth Cup, worth $285,950.
“At least we're in it this time. Last time we were in the Consolation,” he said.
“This dog has made the big dance which is good, and he deserves to win one.
“He's a great chaser and competitor.
“He's about to take over the throne from Amplified.
“Hopefully he'll be travelling around a bit this year to the big races.”
Shinners believes he's got another runner who will push for first spot in the Perth Cup Consolation – Runaway To Mars.
With the race worth $35,625 and featuring Daniel Gibbons' star bitch Kelsey Bale, it promises to be a highly competitive affair.
The Victorian chaser has box two and is a $1.65 winning chance, while Runaway To Mars has $4.20 odds from the five lane.
Runaway To Mars ran an impressive second to Elite Machine in his heat, crossing the line in 29.82 seconds from the eight box.
“Runaway To Mars on the inside probably would've been a good chance. I think he's capable of running 29.65, to be truthful,” Shinners said.