The Group Two Ballarat Cup will be the main feature race around the nation tomorrow night and will see a blend of consistent old campaigners up against the rising young pups of the sport.
There is also an interesting mix of speed, pace and strength in the race which should ensure a fantastic final where one greyhound will earn $60,000 for approximately 25 seconds of chasing.
The race will jump at 8:41pm VIC time, lets have a look at each of the runners and hear what their trainers have to say about their chances.
Gerald Kleeven (Trainer) – If he can jump with them and get a clear run for a couple of strides he should be right. He will need to do everything right because there are seven others that have run quicker times than him but with that being said he hadn't been to the track until last week. It will be a very good race, I think whoever gets the breaks will win it.
Steve Collins (Trainer) – He is only a young dog and he is still learning about the whole racing caper, but if they give him a bit of room in the early stages they will have to look out for him in the last one hundred metres. The draw suits him, being a young dog you can't go around dogs of this calibre, so I am happy with the draw. I think (Luca Neveelk) is boxed to lead and I think our only hope is to be sitting just behind him turning for home.
Best Ballarat Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
25.22
25.37
6.59
6.65
Box 3
Race Odds
$20
Heat Replay
Blue Giant
Trainer
Peter Akathiotis
Owner
Peter Akathiotis
Prizemoney
$43,975
Last 10 Starts
2118514231
July 2011
Blue
Dog
by
Knocka Norris
–
Aussie Nicky
Start
Slow
Running
Middle
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$936
Rating
80
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
47
13
3
9
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
28%
53%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
2
2
0
0
Box 3 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
5
1
1
0
Peter Akathiotis (Trainer) – He went very well in his heat. He is a strong finisher and he did what he had to do after getting in trouble. I was hoping for boxes one, two or three so I am quite happy. Hopefully he can get a sit behind a couple of the quick beginners and make his run in the home straight.
George Dailly (Co-Trainer) – He got out well in his heat and I was happy because he can really run, he just needs a bit of room early. He is a very, very fast dog, he could win any race in Australia but he has to get a clear run early, if he doesn't get it that will be the end of him.
Best Ballarat Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
25.06
25.06
6.62
6.62
Box 5
Race Odds
$23
Heat Replay
Musquin Bale
Trainer
Andrea Dailly
Owner
Paul Wheeler
Prizemoney
$166,355
Last 10 Starts
38154431
April 2011
Red Fawn
Dog
by
Dyna Lachlan
–
Princess Bale
Start
Risky
Running
Rail
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$2,446
Rating
88
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
68
19
10
7
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
28%
53%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
4
2
1
0
Box 5 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
3
1
1
0
George Dailly (Co-Trainer) – He is a very strong dog. He is a bit like Allen Deed in that he can jump well once in a blue moon. If he was to get out and be close to them turning for home he is quite capable of winning it because he is strong.
Best Ballarat Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
25.24
25.42
6.62
6.62
Box 6
Race Odds
$8.50
Heat Replay
Marcus Joe
Trainer
Barry Moloney
Owner
Barry Moloney
Prizemoney
$239,530
Last 10 Starts
1511737371
April 2011
Brindle
Dog
by
Velocette
–
Mojo Glory
Start
Moderate
Running
Rail
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$4,277
Rating
91
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
56
17
13
6
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
30%
64%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
7
2
3
0
Box 6 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
6
2
1
2
Barry Moloney (Trainer) – He is a good honest dog and he just keeps battling on. You have got to take what you get with box draws but I think he is better in box six than closer to the rails, I am optimistic about the whole thing, but he has still got to get out. We are happy enough, he is jumping around and ready to go.
Best Ballarat Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
25.34
25.34
6.64
6.64
Box 7
Race Odds
$8.50
Heat Replay
Agent Jack
Trainer
Steve McKenna
Owner
Forte Alcock Syndicate
Prizemoney
$30,475
Last 10 Starts
18165161
April 2012
Black
Dog
by
Bekim Bale
–
Flowering Lily
Start
Risky
Running
Rail
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$1,523
Rating
90
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
20
11
1
1
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
55%
70%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
1
1
0
0
Box 7 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
2
0
0
0
Steve McKenna (Trainer) – He is not a very quick beginner. I am hoping the eight will cut across to the fence and that he will be left alone out wide. If it all goes well I think he will stay out there and if he gets a good run I think he will give it a good shake. I think he is one of the strongest dogs in the race, his run home times over 450 are unbelievable. The other dogs won't want him two or three lengths off them swinging for home.
Kelly Bravo (Trainer) – I think she is well drawn. She likes to be off the track a little bit and she can dictate things a bit better out there, if she could run a place we would be wrapped because she is only a young girl.
Steve Collins (Trainer) – There is nothing between him and his brother (Ultima Bale) except that Quarrel Bale does begin a little bit better. They are both strong dogs and they have the same racing pattern. They are both looking like being really good race dogs.
ARG Comments: Speedy front runner which is capable of bouncing straight on the bunny from any box. She could easily claim the lead and pinch a break if she were to gain a start.
Best Ballarat Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
25.24
–
6.51
6.51
Alled Deed (4) is obviously the proven class performer but, although he jumped much better than he usually does last week, he was still about one tenth off the first splits set by both Luca Neveelk (1) and Secret Spell (8).
If Allen Deed gets clear room early he will be too good for them all but it is a big ‘if' given the fact that he is drawn in box four. One thing working in his favour is that most of the dogs around him are not overly quick early either so he just needs to begin with them to be in with a chance. However, I am going to be bold and risk him.
Secret Spell is one of the most exciting pups in the state and she faces a massive test here tonight, but there isn't much speed on her inside and I think she should be able to handle herself well from the pink. She won her heat in 25.35 at what was her first start at Ballarat, expect to see plenty of improvement from her. She has great early speed and she is a winner over 500 so she will have no trouble running out the trip.
Luca Neveelk only clocked 25.47 in winning his heat, but that was his first look at the track. From box one he is perfectly suited to bounce on the bunny. He is well suited over the trip and he should run it out strongly.
Ultima Bale (2) is highly talented but is another not blessed with early toe and will need luck in the early stages. He is strong to the line so will be hoping to get a sit right behind Luca Neveelk.
Marcus Joe (6) is a group one winner and always races competitively at this level, he can never be discounted.
Agent Jack (7) finished his race of strongly last week and is probably boxed where he wants to be.