2015 Group 3 Chairman’s Cup final odds, tips and betting preview
DESPITE the withdrawal of champion greyhound Sweet It Is prior to last week's heats, the Group 3 Chairman's Cup is still shaping up to be an interesting affair at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Talented stayer Zipping Maggie will return to the Harbour City, looking to defend her title, after finishing a respectable second in her heat last week. Trained by Marty Hallinan, the daughter of Turanza Bale and Natalie Rass is the $2.05 favourite with Bet365 to go back to back in the Chairman's Cup, having taken out last year's race in a flying 41.78. The front running bitch will jump from box one in the feature, a draw from which she has won four of five starts.
More In Store, which ran down Zipping Maggie in their qualifier last Saturday, is the second elect with bookmakers at $2.90. Trained by Mark Gatt, the black bitch is bred to stay all day, being by Kinloch Brae out of former top grade half-miler Lady Arko. Despite being drawn awkwardly in box four, there is plenty working in her favour, including a strong record over the track and trip which currently stands at eight starts for four wins and two minor placings.
The other main chance in the final is Mepunga Tiara, $6.50, for leading Victorian mentor Jeff Britton. While she has been mixing her form of late, the daughter of Premier Fantasy and Mepunga Opal, a winner of 17 from 76 overall, was close to her best again in last week's heats, saluting in a handy 42.24.
The Group 3 Chairman's Cup is race eight on the card and will jump at 9:55pm.
Lets check out the form of each runner, with tips from Australian Racing Greyhound‘s form expert, Brad Bugeja.
Box One – Zipping Maggie
Dark Brindle Bitch – 28.1kg – May 2012
Turanza Bale x Natalie Rass
Prize money: $140,920
Trainer: Marty Hallinan
Career: 54: 15-12-5
T/D: 12: 2-4-2
T/D Best: 41.78
“She has always raced well over this track and trip and from the red draw she should get every chance to score. Last week she was able to show great speed after missing the kick but after working hard mid race she weakened in the run home. From the inside tonight she should be able to roll to the early lead and she should be able to sneak away mid race and I think she will have enough in the tank to score. This race isn't overly strong and there should be no excuses for her from this draw.”
Odds to win the Chairman's Cup: $2.05 with Bet365
Box Two – Smooth Number
Black Dog – 29.4kg – December 2012
Smooth Fancy x Ironbark Rebel
Prize money: $60,569
Trainer: Allen Hansen
Career: 69: 15-15-10
T/D: 17: 4-5-1
T/D Best: 42.28
“Lacks the brilliance of some of his rivals but he is a grinder and he rarely runs a bad race. He has won four of 17 here and he has been placed in a further six of those efforts, he is drawn to get a nice sit behind the speed tonight and if the leaders happen to bunch up he might be able to run over the top of them late. He is going to be big odds and he could be worth an each way ticket.”
Odds to win the Chairman's Cup: $21 with Bet365
Box Three – Entreaty
Black Bitch – 28.3kg – May 2013
Kinloch Brae x Kowem Girl
Prize money: $27,272
Trainer: Harry Sarkis
Career: 52: 10-7-12
T/D: 7: 0-0-2
T/D Best: 42.52
“Handy chaser when on song but she tends to struggle over this track and trip having been placed in only two of her seven tries. Needs to lead when racing over this trip and I can't see that happening as there is a fair bit of speed engaged in this final. Will be big odds and unlikely to feature.”
Odds to win the Chairman's Cup: $34 with Bet365
Box Four – More In Store
Black Bitch – 25.8kg – May 2013
Kinloch Brae x Lady Arko
Prize money: $32,179
Trainer: Mark Gatt
Career: 20: 9-3-2
T/D: 8: 4-1-1
T/D Best: 42.03
“Promising stayer and she looked super impressive when scoring a strong 42.03 heat win last week. She looked gone mid race when Zipping Maggie went past her, however she managed to pick herself up and she really hit the line well. The box draw is a big concern tonight but if she can avoid early bother she should make her presence felt. She is likely to be under the odds but she still must be respected.”
Odds to win the Chairman's Cup: $2.90 with Bet365
Box Five – Mepunga Tiara
Black Dog – 34.9kg – May 2012
Premier Fantasy x Mepunga Opal
Prize money: $169,425
Trainer: Jeff Britton
Career: 76: 17-12-10
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 42.24
“Last week she was able to return to her best with a commanding 42.24 heat win and a repeat of that effort will see her be in the mix for a long way. The big concern is that her last two wins have come from the red draw and on each occasion she has been able to dictate the terms from the outset. From the middle pin she will need to ping and cross in the early stages, however there is a fair bit of speed drawn in one and three so she might have her work cut out. Clearly a good chance but I'm very keen on the red.”
Odds to win the Chairman's Cup: $6.50 with Bet365
Box Six – Mullaway
Box Seven – Mizzou Tiger
Brindle Dog – 34.0kg – August 2012
Yahoo Omar x Osti's Myth
Prize money: $22,107
Trainer: Chris Carl
Career: 43: 6-5-9
T/D: 6: 1-1-2
T/D Best: 42.26
“Big rise in class tonight and he will likely find the going tough. Three starts back he posted a steady 42.56 Richmond win and since then he has been easily beaten in his two runs here. Will get posted wide early tonight and he will struggle to get balanced, so it is unlikely he will worry the judge.”
Odds to win the Chairman's Cup: $34 with Bet365
Box Eight – Gangnam Style
Brindle Dog – 31.8kg – January 2013
Kinloch Brae x Liesel
Prize money: $75,080
Trainer: Clint Capuano
Career: 52: 12-11-7
T/D: 1: 0-0-0
T/D Best: 42.58
“Well drawn out wide and he could be a serious chance at odds tonight. Last week he was a tad disappointing in his heat, however he did look a little lost through the corners and I am expecting an improved effort tonight. He has the speed to get across and balance up in the top two and if he does he may test the favourite mid race. If he goes around at silly odds he is definitely worth an each way ticket.”
Odds to win the Chairman's Cup: $9 with Bet365
Reserves
1st Reserve – Ada Mary
Brindle Bitch – 28.5kg – June 2012
High Earner x Silver Shiraz
Prize money: $43,024
Trainer: Sharon Grey
Career: 39: 13-4-3
T/D: 12: 3-1-2
T/D Best: 42.38
“Handy stayer who is armed with great early speed. Can lead them up but has been folding up quickly in the run home of late and therefore I can't see her making an impact.”
Odds to win the Chairman's Cup: $12 with Bet365
2nd Reserve – Lithgow Panther
Black Dog – 33.5kg – November 2012
Mildean Panther x Mrs Trickett
Prize money: $62,075
Trainer: John Chapman
Career: 42: 16-8-6
T/D: 11: 4-3-0
T/D Best: 42.12
“Super talent but unfortunately he hasn't really turned into a genuine stayer. Still good enough to win if he gains a start but he is unlikely to get into the field.”
Odds to win the Chairman's Cup: $4.50 with Bet365
Top Four: 1 – 8 – 4 – 2
Suggested Bets:
Win bet on Zipping Maggie
Quinella: 1 to rove with 2,4,8 ($3 for 100%)
Exacta: 1,8/1,2,4,8 ($6 for 100%)
Trifecta: 1/2,4,8/Field ($18 for 100%)