The countdown to WA's biggest race of the year has begun. The Perth Cup not only gives WA's best chasers a chance to showcase their talent on a national scale, but traveling greyhounds too. The 530 metre trip at Cannington is not an easy one and with a sensationally even field thanks to the box draw, it will be a night to remember. The boxes are set to fly open at 9.27 Perth time.
Last week's heats were dominated by the states leading trainer Linda Britton, qualifying four classy chasers into the $140,000 final. Zelemar Fever is Britton's fastest chaser in the race, breaking the 30 second barrier on three occasions. Jumping from box six will be her biggest hurdle.
Litter sisters Star Recall (box eight) and High Recall (box five) have both blown away onlookers with their early speed and despite their age they are in with a big chance when the boxes fly open. Saving Bundles found herself in the Perth Cup and in box one after a messy heat, with favourite Iona Seven falling on the first corner. She is a better place chance than a winning one, but she does have to ability to cause an upset.
Sveta Monelli for David Hobby is also another WA chaser with a good chance of taking out the 2014 Perth Cup. She recently defeated Zelemar Fever in 30.27 and you wouldn't put it past her to steal the race.
Paul Stuart has the chance to take out both the Perth Cup and Galaxy for the second year in a row. In the Perth Cup he has Hillbilly Flash, a litter brother to his chaser in the Galaxy, Ash Flash. Hillbilly Flash has improved his times with each start he has had around Cannington. Only beaten on one occasion, running second, there is nothing stopping this chaser from pulling out a personal best performance and winning the race.
Victorians Allen Deed (box two) and Keybow (box three) have their work cut out for them. They are already behind on the home track advantage, but they have the experience running against top class dogs to come away with the Perth Cup Victory.
Comments: Linda Britton (Trainer) – “Saving Bundles isn't out of it. She should burrow up on the rails and she has the right box to do so. Saying that, she will need some luck to be in it at the finish.”
Comments: Trainer unavailable for comment (ARG comment) –Allen Deed will need to jump a lot better this week then he did last week to be a good chance in the race. With chasers like High Recall, Star Recall, Sveta Monelli and Zelemar Fever with both a home track advantage and blistering early speed, he is going to have to be on his toes early. Saying that if there is trouble on the outside he without doubt has the ability to win the Perth Cup.
Comments: Darren McDonald (Trainer) – “If he is going to be beaten it is going to be because of inexperience. He has been racing better dogs for a while so the extra look at the track will be beneficial for him. Box one would have been better, it is the third box I would have chosen to be in. The dog of Dailly's (Allen Deed) is a very good dog, its just a matter of if he can adapt to Cannington. “
Comments: Paul Stuart (Trainer) – “Box four isn't a bad draw for him, the closer to the fence the better he goes. There is a lot of early speed from the outside. If every dog is able to do what they dog every week then you would think they would all want to get across to the fence. I just have to hope that he can come out better than them. If he gets the room within the first five metres he is in with a really good chance.”
Comments: Linda Britton (Trainer) – “High Recall should lead the race if she runs the same splits as she did last week. She is a very good place chance.”
Comments: Linda Britton (Trainer) – “Zelemar Fever is by far my best dog in the race, but the box is my only worry. She will just need some luck early to win the race.”
Comments: Linda Britton (Trainer) – “Star Recall is a promising pup, her best chance is if everything rails and hopefully she uses the outside of the track. It is a very even field the way the box draw is.”
Comments (ARG comments): Te Amo is a very speedy bitch but she lacks the strength to be able to hold off or run down most of the dogs in the race. She is a very good place chance if she gets a start.
Comments (ARG comments): Love Of Lauryn does not have to times to be able to get on top of this field, despite being a talented bitch. She is strong which will help her if there is trouble and gets a start.
Best Cannington Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
30.57
30.57
5.62
5.71
2014 Perth Cup Heats
The Perth Cup Consolations also bring about a bit of excitement for those chasers who where unable to make it through to the big race. The third place getters in the heats make up the field. The first Consolation field is as follows:
Box Dog Trainer
1 Fancy Dreamer Paul Stuart
2 By Magic John Iwanyk
3 Dyna Nalin Paul Stuart
4 Ritchie Rich David Hobby
5 Ritza Liam John Carmody
6 Prue Bale Andrea Daily
7 Dannie Bale Paul Stuart
8 Veyron Bale Andrea Daily
RESERVES
9 Zipping Joe Darren McDonald
10 Gone To Heaven Linda Britton
Last years Perth Cup winner Dyna Nalin should jump favourite, currently paying $2.20 to take out the $13,500 race. Veyron Bale for Andrea Daily is jumping from box eight and he has taken a liking to outside boxes, winning on seven occasions from 15 starts. If Dyna Nalin gets held up like he did last week then Veyron Bale is in with a great chance, currently paying $6.00.
The second Perth Cup Consolation is made up of the second place getters in heats. The field for the second Consolation is as follows:
Box Dog Trainer
1 Bluey's Fate Andrew McLaren
2 General Destini Emilio Rinaldi
3 Jump The Queue Peter Hepple
4 Ozzie Bullet Jeffrey Britton
5 Love Of Lauryn John Iwanyk
6 Liara Allen Steven Collins
7 Te Amo Linda Britton
8 Ollie Bale Andrea Dailly
RESERVES
9 Fancy Dreamer Paul Stuart
10 Dyna Nalin Paul Stuart
General Destini for Emilio Rinaldi won this race last year. This year he has the potential for back-to-back victories thanks to his inside box draw; paying $5.00 for the win, it is hard to forget this talented chaser.
Linda Britton's Te Amo flew out of the boxes last week to lead Zelemar Fever. Expect the same this week despite jumping from box seven from this speedy little bitch; she may be in trouble if General Destini, Ozzie Bullet or Liara Allen are sitting behind her in the home straight because she tires a little.
