Britton And Stuart Flying The Australian Cup Flag For WA
WA trainers Linda Britton and Paul Stuart have prepared four talented prospects for this years Australian Cup heats held over the 525 metre distance at The Meadows on Saturday night.
The excitement level for Paul Stuart is high, with his travelling sensation Dyna Nalin jumping from box one in a very winnable heat. Stuart's 34 kilo dog is set to start $2.15 favourite for the heat, ahead of Te Amo ($5.50) and Humphrey Bale ($5.50).
After an unlucky run in the Temlee last week, jumping from box six and finishing sixth, Dyna Nalin is said to be ready to go for the coming heats.
“He pulled up really well; he got bashed around a bit last week but ran home well; he is bouncing around now.” Trainer Paul Stuart explained.
“I was happy with the run, he got belted straight out of the boxes but ran home really nice. The seven and the five put an end to his chances early. He didn't get beaten by much; he ended up running about 30.20, so that's pretty good considering the interference he copped. I couldn't be disappointed with the run.”
As for box one in the eighth heat of the Australian Cup, Stuart believes he has the right box to give his chaser every chance of winning the race.
“He comes out better from an inside box as a rule, without giving too much of the start, hopefully there is room up on the rail. If he gets the clear run he is right in it. It's hard to say a favourite because there is a bit of a mixture in the field. Cornelious Fudge is pretty strong and there is a bit of speed with Te Amo and Rose Of Galo. If Te Amo or Purcell Bale get a run early and find themselves on the bunny they are going to run a bit of time.”
“You have always got to be careful with any dogs at The Meadows who get a clear run early because that is half the work done.”
Stuart rates either Te Amo or Purcell Bale as the main dangers in the heat.
“He cant give any of those dogs five or six length off the back otherwise he could be in a bit of trouble.”
WA's second trainer Linda Britton has three chasers looking to earn their rug in next weeks Australian Cup.
Temlee winner Zelemar Fever has drawn a hard heat, made tougher by box seven. Her win last week was remarkable, running down the leading Paw Licking after he stretched his lead to over five lengths down the back.
“I would probably put that down as my best win. I think the fact that it's a hand picked field, it's the best dog racing at the time. It's a time-honoured event; many many greats have won it over the years.” Trainer Linda Britton explained.
Despite how impressive Zelemar Fever's run was last week, Britton is not confident that her bitch will be able to hit the line first in this week's heat because of her outside box draw.
“I lose a fair bit of confidence because she is jumping from box seven, but she is racing well. If she jumps like she did last week and get across somewhere early she will be in with a chance.”
Britton rates her brother Roberts chaser Famor Las Vegas as the dog to beat because he is coming out of box one.
“Banjo Boy and Buckle Up Wes are also two top liners in the race.”
Last Saturday night Britton had two bitches, Te Amo and High Recall, trial in-between races at The Meadows in preparation for the Australian Cup heats. Te Amo stopped the clock at 29.90, while High Recall wasn't far behind her with a time of 29.96.
“I was hoping High Recall and Te Amo would break 30 seconds at The Meadows on Saturday night.”
Te Amo is set to jump from box five in the sixth heat of the Australian Cup, drawing against fellow West Australian Dyna Nalin.
“I like her chances, but in saying that I don't want Dyna Nalin sitting behind her in the home straight. She can begin really well and any dog that can find the front at The Meadows, it can be hard to run them down.”
“If she can run the time she did last week she will be a huge chance.”
High Recall is drawn worse out of all the WA chasers in the Australian Cup heats, jumping from box eight, the little black bitch will likely look for the rails as soon as the lids open.
“The box draw is a big disappointment, she will want the rails and there are a few good ones in the race. High Recall isn't going to lead with Paw Licking in the race and she isn't as strong as Zelemar Fever, so running him down will be hard. I can't see her winning it, if she runs a place I will be happy.”
Britton rates Te Amo as her best chance of the night.
With four great WA chasers involved in the Australian Cup heats it will be a night when all Western Australian's cheer together in hope one of their home town champions can make it through to the Australian Cup.