Bendigo hosts Group Two racing on Friday night with the final of the Bendigo Cup taking place. Eight greyhounds will exit the boxes for the 425 metre trip at 9:10pm.
Comments: Robert Britton (Trainer) – “I have the two slowest qualifiers so I am not overly confident. However, in saying that I have drawn really well as they have drawn the boxes they ewant. I'm not underestimating the fact that other dogs went quicker.”
Comments: ARG opinion is – Returned to the winner's circle last week in a big upset, scoring at odds of 45/1. He is a track specialist but is a steady beginner and that may work against him in a Group final.
Comments: ARG opinion is – Fastest heat winner who had his first win since April when taking out his Bendigo Cup heat. He was able to lead all the way from box three, the box he has drawn for this final. It will be interesting to see if he can repeat last week's performance.
Comments: ARG opinion is – Extremely talented greyhound who gets his chance to prove himself in his first Group race final. He has won 12 from 13 and with that kind of record, it is hard to bet against him.
Comments: ARG opinion is – Flew out last week and a repeat of that will see her leading this field. If she can get to the front, she may just cause the upset.
Comments: Michelle Mallia-Magri (Trainer) – “I'm hoping he wins. He is in with a big chance. There is no pace on his outside and the dog on his inside has pace so that might pull him out of the box. I would rather be drawn closer to the rail. He loves Bendigo and trialled 23.79 as a pup. Every dog is in with a chance. Most of the dogs in the final are strong but have no early pace so if you can begin well and run a strong 500 you can win it.”
Comments: ARG opinion is – Class dog of the field who has been in and placed in a number of Group finals. His form had been an bit off since the Easter Egg but he performed strongly last weekm suggesting he may be coming back into form. He is a fair beginner bit can show pace if he gets the room. He can't be written off in this field.
Comments: Robert Britton (Trainer) – “I have the two slowest qualifiers so I am not overly confident. However, in saying that I have drawn really well as they have drawn the boxes they ewant. I'm not underestimating the fact that other dogs went quicker.”
Comments: Made the final of the earlier instalment of the Bendigo Cup this year but ran last to Paw Licking. He then went on to have a month off an returned to racing in early June for two placings. He is a young dog that is showing plenty of talent but he will need some luck if he gets a start.
Comments: Fast bitch who is an each way chance if she gets a run. Performed well at her first look at the track behind fastest heat winner Zipping Snoopy.
Best Bendigo Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
NBT
23.93
6.63
6.63
This is a hard race to pick as the best boxed dog (Pippa Shiraz) is the slowest qualifier. She has only been unplaced once from eight starts from the rails alley. It is always a bonus to lead a Group race as it gives you more of a chance. She will need to lead to factor but given her record from the box she is an each-way chance. In a similar situation is Senor Socks. He recorded 24.06 last week from box eight. He has drawn that box again and the wide alley suits him down to the ground. The trainer of both these greyhounds has stated that the box draw brings these two dogs into the race.
The middle boxes look to hold the key to the race. Fastest heat winner Zipping Snoopy is in box three and next to him in box four is star on the rise, Luca Neveelk. The yellow rug will be donned by White Spyro, who recorded the fastest first section last week and a repeat of that will see her leading again. Luca Neveelk should improve on his run from last week as it was his first race start at the track last week. He has won his last 10 races, which is outstanding for any greyhound and he would not look out of place with a Group win to his name.
Class can never be ignored, so Warrior King, from box seven, has to be given some consideration. He is an experienced Group campaigner and has a flying 23.48 to his credit at the track.
Of the others, Elite Devil loves Bendigo but he has to contend with a tricky box six draw. Flying Bolt, from box two, is unlikely to salute at big odds two weeks in a row.