Halse hopes for luck for Refund Tux, Mr Dusty in Perth Cup heats
Chris Halse will be hoping Lady Luck can sprinkle her magic powder on Refund Tux and Mr Dusty in the Perth Cup heats at Cannington on Saturday night.
Three-year-old Refund Tux will go in to the first heat as a $6 winning chance across greyhound betting sites and has displayed good ability in his 38 career starts, winning 10 of them.
The son of Mepunga Blazer and Times Square drew the coveted No.1 box.
But Halse said the inside lane has not previously suited him, before he lines up in a field of just five after superstar Wow She’s Fast and Bang were scratched from the Cannington feature.
“He has got quite a bit of ability, but he’s probably drawn the wrong end of the boxes,” the experienced Western Australian conditioner told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“He probably needs to be drawn off the track.”
Mr Dusty will also wear the red bib in the third Perth Cup heat.
“Mr Dusty also probably needs to be off the track. They’ve drawn a bit inside-out,” Halse said.
“But you can’t use that as an excuse because it’s only once a year when these races come around.”
Mr Dusty will start as a $41 outsider in a strong field featuring Amplified, Paddy Wants Pats and Custard Monelli.
“He’s probably a few lengths off them. He might need a bit of luck in the early stages,” Halse said.
“But racing’s a funny thing. What will be will be.
“It’s not the greatest depth we’ve had for the Perth Cup, but there are still eight heats.
“So that’ll be eight heats for eight winners, and there’ll be no complaints.”
West On Cidar is a $16 winning chance going into the seventh Perth Cup heat.
Last start, he finished last in his Keith Harding Canning Trophy heat, and Elite Machine ($2.15) and Titan Blazer ($3) are the ones to beat.
“He (West On Cidar) got absolutely hammered last start. I don’t know if he’s up to Titan Blazer, but I just hope he can run a place and line up in one of those nice consolations over here,” Halse said.
And West On Governor ($26) also faces a tough test in the last Perth Cup heat, with Granite Song the $2.30 favourite.
Again, Halse said a little help from up above wouldn’t go astray regarding his two-year-old brindle dog who will start from box six.
“He’s probably up against it. His form’s tapered off a bit. He’ll just need a lot of luck in running,” the Nambeelup-based trainer said.
“We try our best, so as long as he tries his best.”