2015 Group 2 Traralgon Cup final free tips & best bookmaker odds
YINNAR trainer Mick Fearnley has two chances of taking out this year's Group 2 Traralgon Cup final, but concedes his chasers face a massive task against champion sprinter Fernando Bale – a six time Group 1 winner.
Fearnley puts the polish on Harlon and He's So Good which will jump from boxes two and eight respectively in the $47,000-to-the-winner feature, with the latter aiming to win the race his mother could not.
“It's really good to be in the final, that's for sure,” Fearnley said.
“He's So Good's mother Audacious Elle made the final a couple of years ago and I had another dog called Wy Yung Tiger that made the final with no success – I am hoping for a change of luck this year.”
“But dogs like Fernando Bale only come around once every ten years and logically I cant see any one beating him.”
He's So Good, $21 with Sportsbet, qualified for the final courtesy of his 30.61 heat victory last Saturday, coming from behind to defeat Sonic Pirate by three-quarters-of-a-length on the line.
“He had to do it the hard way – he was stuck out wide – he had a dog on his inside and although it didn't interfere with him too much it was preventing him from getting to the fence and he doesn't race comfortably until he gets there.
“He also got a check on the home turn and he had to race three wide to get around them.”
He's So Good has drawn unfavourably in box eight for the final, but Fearnley is optimistic he will still put his best paws forward.
“He will try from box eight, but he does desperately want the inside.
“He won the St Ledger at Warragul and he actually beat Harlon by two lengths and on that occasion he came out running which he doesn't do too often.
“If he were to come out running again he may be able to follow Fernando Bale across and if he did everything right I think he could possibly beat Emrys home and run second.
“I think he could probably get down to around 30.20 at Traralgon, he has got plenty of ability.”
Fearnley does not rule out Harlon, $16 with Luxbet, as a rough chance in the final.
“Of my two he is the one that is well drawn and he has a lot of pace so he should be up there with them early.
“They are both only young – they are the youngest dogs in the race by a long way – in less than six months time I am expecting them to be really competitive with these types of dogs.”
The Group 2 Traralgon Cup is race six on Saturday night and is set to jump at 7:08pm.
Lets check out the form of each runner in the final, complete with free tips and the best bookmaker odds available.
Box One – Emrys
Black Dog – 31.2kg – January 2013
Magic Sprite x Prancing Uno
Prize money: $87,965
Trainer: Mario Briganti
Career: 41: 14-10-1
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 30.18
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Silver Chief Classic, 2015 Group 1 Australian Cup, 2015 Group 1 Maturity Classic.
“Class act and he was very impressive in his 30.18 heat win last week. Box one is a big advantage in a final like this and he should be able to use it to put himself right in the finish.”
Odds to win the Traralgon Cup: $5.50 with Luxbet
Box Two – Harlon
Fawn and White Dog – 34.5kg – July 2013
Dyna Lachlan x Emmy's Belle
Prize money: $15,510
Trainer: Mick Fearnley
Career: 15: 5-4-2
T/D: 3: 1-1-0
T/D Best: 30.67
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 29.65, The Meadows 30.24, Bendigo 23.86, Warragul 25.87.
“Has good early speed and ran a cheeky race when running second behind Emrys last week. He looks like he is going to be a more than handy greyhound, but he is giving away a lot of experience to some of his more seasoned rivals. Nevertheless, he is boxed to go well and he could sneak into some minor money.”
Odds to win the Traralgon Cup: $16 with Luxbet
Box Three – Clash Of Kings
Black Dog – 32.2kg – July 2012
Fear Zafonic x Queen Lauryn
Prize money: $72,549
Trainer: Steve Whyte
Career: 42: 15-8-3
T/D: 1: 0-1-0
T/D Best: N/A
Career Highlights: WON 2014 Group 3 Darwin Cup, FINALIST 2014 Group 2 Vince Curry Maiden, 2015 Group 3 Big Dog Cup, 2015 Rockhampton Cup.
“Regally bred chaser which lacks genuine pace and is probably going to struggle here.”
Odds to win the Traralgon Cup: $41 with Sportsbet
Box Four – Sonic Pirate
White and Black Dog – 34.8kg – December 2011
Premier Fantasy x Sonic Jet
Prize money: $54,240
Trainer: Peter Reinders
Career: 67: 15-14-5
T/D: 3: 1-1-0
T/D Best: 30.98
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Cranbourne Cup.
“Getting a bit long in the tooth but is still racing well. However, based on his recent times, he does not appear up to this level.”
Odds to win the Traralgon Cup: $81 with Bet365
Box Five – Dyna Yemen
Fawn Dog – 32.2kg – July 2012
Superman x Talia Bale
Prize money: $78,730
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 55: 13-8-8
T/D: 1: 0-0-1
T/D Best: N/A
Career Highlights: WON The Meadows 29.87, Ballarat 25.22, Sandown Park 29.18, Sandown Park 34.14.
“Has run a couple of nice placings in recent weeks but is not drawn well; likely to find trouble with an explosive beginner on his outside.”
Odds to win the Traralgon Cup: $21 with Sportsbet
Box Six – Fernando Bale
White and Dark Brindle Dog – 29.7kg – March 2013
Kelsos Fusileer x Chloe Allen
Prize money: $878,110
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 35: 28-2-2
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 29.97
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg, 2015 Group 1 Maturity Classic, 2015 Group 1 National Derby, 2015 Group 1 Harrison- Dawson, 2015 Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic, 2015 Group 1 National Sprint Championship, 2015 Group 2 Bendigo Cup, 2015 Group 3 Bill Collins Memorial, Bendigo 23.39TR, 29.96TR.
“Absolute freak and it is hard to see any of these greyhounds posing a genuine threat. If he jumps, he wins – simple.”
Odds to win the Traralgon Cup: $1.30 with Bet365
Box Seven – Lektra Outlaw
Brindle Dog – 33.0kg – January 2013
Collision x Lektra Angel
Prize money: $70,855
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 59: 12-10-10
T/D: 1: 0-0-1
T/D Best: N/A
Career Highlights: WON The Meadows 30.30, Sandown Park 29.54, Wentworth Park 29.81, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 National Derby.
“Has been a good money spinner for connections and although he prefers to be boxed on the fence, he should get a nice run into the race on the outside of Fernando Bale. Not sure he is up to this class but he should get a good opportunity to sneak into first four calculations.”
Odds to win the Traralgon Cup: $41 with Luxbet
Box Eight – He's So Good
Black Dog – 32.3kg – July 2013
Magic Sprite x Audacious Elle
Prize money: $34,470
Trainer: Mick Fearnley
Career: 18: 8-3-0
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 30.61
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 29.57, The Meadows 30.18.
“Tough heat win last week, coming from behind to score right on the line. Isn't well suited out wide but if he can get across he will be a definite top three chance.”
Odds to win the Traralgon Cup: $21 with Sportsbet
1st Reserve – Starlight Jack
Blue Dog – 30.8kg – November 2012
Kinloch Brae x Starlight Delly
Prize money: $102,640
Trainer: Mario Briganti
Career: 39: 19-8-3
T/D: 1: 0-0-1
T/D Best: N/A
Career Highlights: WON 2014 Group 3 Young Star Classic, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Perth Cup.
Odds to win the Traralgon Cup: $41 with Bet365
2nd Reserve – Nifty Neveelk
Black Dog – 33.3kg – May 2012
Talk's Cheap x It's A Nevellk
Prize money: $24,995
Trainer: Rose Kleeven
Career: 56: 9-10-11
T/D: 5: 1-1-1
T/D Best: 30.71
Career Highlights: WON Sale 25.09, 29.62, Cranbourne 30.24.
Odds to win the Traralgon Cup: $41 with Luxbet