Outstanding Sprinters to Contest Group 1 Brisbane Cup Heats

This Thursday night 's premier greyhound track hosts 6 heats of the 2013 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup.

The event, a highlight in the greyhound calendar every year, has again attracted a number of quality chasers including Australia's best greyhound Xylia Allen. The heats are littered with quality chasers, including recent performers from the Melbourne Cup, Ipswich Cup and Lismore Cup series.

Race 3 – Sky Racing Brisbane Cup – Heat 1 – 7:28pm Qld time

Brilliant field to kick off heat one highlighted by interstate raider Iona Seven for leading Victorian mentor Robert Britton. The black 27 kilogram chaser has been wonderful throughout her race career, the highlight being her recent Group 1 Melbourne Cup final. She was well fancied in betting for the final before suffering at the first turn scrimmage finishing an unlucky last. A fast bitch who has raced the cream of Australia's best chasers – will be well supported to progress to the final after drawing outside the field in box 8.

Leading the local charge is the Frank Hancock trained Battistuzzi. A member of the outstanding Collision – Dulcinea litter, he has been the standout of a great litter winning 8 of his 16 career starts. Brilliant at Albion Park he is a front running greyhound who is capable of breaking the magical 30 seconds week in and week out. The finalist and Lismore Cup finalists is a group class capable of winning here – especially drawn in box 6 and having the vacant box inside him.

Owner Len Antonio has had a remarkable run with his two super bitches Regal Lauryn and Miss Lauryn (Surf Lorian – Queen Lorian). In the first heat, Miss Lauryn lines up in box 1 for leading conditioner . The beautifully bred chaser is a recent Lismore Cup finalist. A fast 29.96PB indicates her ability and she can go faster if the breaks come her way, especially with the draw.

Top Story (Knocka Norris – Bomber Babe) is also a chance after coming up with box 3. Trained by Sandra Hunt the track specialist may be out of sorts of late but cannot be discounted despite the quality here.

Race 4 – Sky Racing Brisbane Cup – Heat 2 – 7:46pm Qld time

Robert Britton continues the Group 1 Brisbane Cup assault with his second interstate raider Farmor Las Vegas. Drawn in box 4 the black son of Knocka Norris – Farmor Cee You continues on the group path, heading north after the Melbourne Cup series. Unlucky in his heat he failed to make the final. He is a multiple group finalist and the winner of 16 races, a speed greyhound who looks well placed to progress to the final, despite having never raced here. Will benefit from the vacant box to his outside.

Returned Queenslander Frosty Jay Jay heads back to the track where he made his name after a recent Victorian Campaign. The campaign probably didn't get the recognition that was hoped but he did make the Final. Now back in the kennel with Renald Attard, the son of Knocka Norris – Slick Hannah is in great condition as evidenced by his flying 29.65 trial here last week. A wonderful greyhound who only needs to reproduce that to win here. Winning chance from box 3.

4 year old chaser Bellagio Lad is racing as well as he did when he started his career and looks another strong each way chance after drawing box 1. Trained by Queensland icon Ron Ball the veteran chaser has been outstanding throughout his career and continues to impress as evident by his sub 30 sec PB run here in September 2013. 79 starts for 15 wins and 28 placing's – a wonderful competitor who looks well an each way chance again.

Race 5 – Sky Racing Brisbane Cup – Heat 3 – 8:08pm Qld time

Surfin' Kawati (Surf Lorian – Tarzane's Girl) draws box 4 in heat 3 for Coominya owner trainer Lois Neal. The 30 kilogram chaser is coming off a successful Ipswich Cup campaign where he started 2nd favourite in the final. No luck in the race saw him finish down the field. Prior to that Neal had him setting the track alight with 3 BON performances, including 2 here in sub 30 sec performances. Fast greyhound who only needs a little luck early to progress. Deserves a group final and win.

Interstate raider Gold Town returns to Queensland for another shot at group glory for Lara trainer Jenny Hunt. Recent form is outstanding including a second in the Melbourne Cup heats behind eventual winner Black Magic Opal and a second in the listed final on cup night behind Tomac Bale. Has had the benefit of having a race start here previously and is well drawn in box 1. The winner of 19 races from 62 career starts – looks a strong chance.

Brian McKivat continues the northern campaign with Clonakilty Man after no luck in the recent Ipswich Cup heats. Prior to heading north the son of Vee Man Vane – Gibbo Gold tasted back to back success in fast times at . A sub 30 second trial here last week indicates his ability. Drawn in box 7 will need some early luck but is a quality up and coming chaser, a win would not surprise.

Race 6 – Sky Racing Brisbane Cup – Heat 4 – 8:28pm Qld time

=Honey Bouquet draws ideally in the cherry box for Beachmere trainer John Conlon. The 3 year old daughter of Bit Chili – Honey Mist was unlucky in the Ipswich Cup series disqualified for the final after a marring offence. Did win her heat in a race that needed to be seen to be believed. The 28 kilo chaser has been in outstanding form of late, including fast Best 8 successes here and sub 30 sec wins. The winner of a string on end, will just need to be to win progress here

Lismore Cup and Ipswich Cup winner Regal Lauryn continues on her group mission lining up in box 6. Owned by Len Antonio and trained by Tony Brett the daughter of Surf Lorian – has been in outstanding form of late winning group heats and finals at her previous four starts. A brilliant greyhound with wonderful ability she does like to use plenty of the track in her races but can win from anywhere. The winner of 17 from 34 starts expect a bold showing from the pin up girl of Queensland racing.

Melbourne Cup finalist and Ready 2 Race success story Kiss Me Ketut journeys north for the first time drawing box 8 for South Geelong owner trainer David Burnett. Much has been written about the $20,000 race purchase who has been successful 13 of his 28 starts including contesting the Group 1 Melbourne Cup final. Having his first start at the track he will be afforded some room early after drawing box 8.

Heat 4 is an outstanding heat with many wonderful chaser engaged capable of winning and progressing to the final. Dulcie Dee for Edith Hancock is another of Collision – Dulcinea litter who can light up a race track with blistering times and performances. Spirited Flame was a recent second in the Ipswich Cup final and can't be discounted. Not to forget Thunder Rocks engaged in box 5, a great chaser in great form of late being a reserve for the Ipswich Cup final for Stephen and Deborah Arnold.

Race 7 – Sky Racing Brisbane Cup – Heat 5 – 8:52pm Qld time

Australia's best greyhound Xylia Allen headlines heat 5 for Lara trainer Jenny Hunt. The multiple group winner and finalist comes off an unlucky Melbourne Cup campaign when second in her heat behind fellow Brisbane Cup contender Kiss Me Ketut. The Shootout winner is a regular traveller who has raced the best throughout her illustrious career. The 13 time group finalist is owned by the Wheeler family and looks a strong chance to progress to another group final despite drawing awkwardly in box 5.

Bracken Ridge mentor Darren Titmarsh will look to upset the favourite with his up and coming chaser Late Angle Lee. The son of Late Show Lee – Rocklynn's Angel is coming off a last start flying 29.67 BON win here when winning by 8 and a half lengths. The powerful finisher is a sub 35 second greyhound over the 600m and with his strength the race between him and Xylia Allen could be mouth-watering. 22 starts for 7 wins and 8 placings, will have to contend with box 4 but a win is not out of the question.

Gold Coast Cup reservist Spirits Away (Run's House – Spirit Released) lines up in heat 5 for Southbrook trainer Paul Haig. The Phillip Muller owned chaser has had a remarkably consistent career and comes here off a last start 30.01PB here. A greyhound who can be tardy early, she does have good race sense and with her consistency cannot be discounted should interference strike the favourite.

Race 8 – Sky Racing Brisbane Cup – Heat 6 – 9:11pm Qld time

Winter Cup finalist and Victorian speedster Tomac Bale returns north for another shot at Queensland group racing glory. The Mark Delbridge trained and Wheeler owned greyhound has been a revelation throughout his short career winning 13 of his 24 career starts. A group winner drawn ideally in box 1. Has had the benefit of track, travel and race experience – looks well placed in this final heat.

The wonderful career of White Hornet looks set to continue in the 6th and final heat for Park Ridge mentor Ray Burman. His last start disappointment when unlucky in the Ipswich Cup Final is the only blight on an otherwise remarkable young career. Just 2 years of age White Hornet has recorded 11 wins and 7 placing's from only 23 career starts. Group performer who is ultra-consistent and looks another strong chance despite drawing box 6.

Morayfield trainer Shane Ellis continues the Albion Park campaign with his wonderful sprinter Zipping Hurf. After no luck in the heats of the Ipswich cup, the son of Mantra Lad – Or Catra has won his last two in outstanding fashion here including a last start 29.84PB. Another group campaign and another poor box draw, in box 4 he loves the track and trip winning 10 and placing 5 from 20 starts here.

Box 5 starter Semi Earner (High Earner – Seminole) will look to continue on her improved form after her recent Ipswich Cup final where she finished 6th behind Regal Lauryn. The former Victorian is back at home in the Willow Vale base of Selena Zammit. A consistent greyhound better known over the middle distance but not without a chance here.

The six heats look set to highlight a wonderful night of racing at Queensland's premier track with the first heat to kick off at 7:28pm Qld time. The six heat winners and 2 fastest seconds will progress to the Group 1 and $75,000 to the winner final Thursday week where Racing Queensland will be hoping a large crowd can gather for one of their showpiece events.

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