Group 3 Ipswich Cup market update and runner analysis
THIRTY Talks is the $1.70 favourite with Crownbet to take out Saturday night's Group 2 Ipswich Cup final (520m) after his stunning 30.03 heat victory last weekend.
Despite a moderate beginning from box five, the brindle dog was able to push his way to the front of the pack, sprinting clear to score by a widening 10 lengths, just 0.02 seconds outside of Queen Lauryn's track record.
Trained by Tony Brett, the son of Where's Pedro and Unfinished has won 18 of his 30 career starts, including four from five over the track and trip at Ipswich.
Despite drawing favourably in box one, it won't be an easy task for Thirty Talks, which is set to face a quality field including two of its kennel mates, Jury and Zabdon Ferrari.
Jury (box two) is the youngster on the scene, having faced the starter on just seven occasions from which it has amassed four wins and two minor placings.
The March 2015 whelp qualified with a slick 30.37 run last week and could apply pressure to the favourite in the early stages.
Also right in contention is Zabdon Ferrari (box six) which qualified for the final courtesy of a 30.43 heat win over Not Like Tommy last Saturday, with the black dog appreciating the drop in class after a recent stint in Victoria where he contested the Group 1 Melbourne Cup series.
Bill Elson will have two runners in the final, with talented half siblings Cyndie's Magic and Fabulous Bill set to exit from boxes four and five respectively.
Cyndie's Magic used box one to perfection in her heat, storming home with her trademark finishing burst to defeat Jack's Black in 30.61.
A daughter of Magic Sprite and Regal Silver, Cyndie's Magic will be lining up for her 96th start in the final on Saturday night, with the Cup set to be her eight group final. Can she finally score a group trophy for the mantelpiece?
Her younger half-brother, by Fabregas, is Fabulous Bill who won the opening heat in 30.50. A front runner, the black dog will have to be at his best to overcome the poor draw, however he is blessed with early toe.
Major Jackpot is another leading contender, with the Robert Cooke-trained chaser in fantastic form since returning from Victoria, winning seven of his 10 starts.
The 30.9-kilogram dog is sure to benefit from his first run at the track heading into the final and has drawn suitably in box eight, a draw from which he has won four of five appearances.
Major Jackpot clocked a tidy 30.49 in his heat, defeating My Awesome Magic by three quarters of a lengths, with the runner-up also gaining a start in the decider.
The Group 3 Ipswich Cup will be run this Saturday and is worth $31,500 to the winner.
Group 3 Ipswich Cup – market
1. Thirty Talks $1.70
2. Jury $13 with Crownbet
3. My Awesome Magic $26
4. Cyndie's Magic $21
5. Fabulous Bill $15
6. Zabdon Ferrari $5
7. Not Like Tommy $51
8. Major Jackpot $5
1st res. Apatite $17
2nd res. Whata Nice Size $51