2015 Group 3 Darwin Cup final odds, tips and betting preview

THE Northern Territory will hold the greyhound racing spotlight on Sunday night with the Cup being run and won at Winnellie Park.

The Stephen Whyte-trained Clash Of Kings will be aiming to go back-to-back after claiming last year's Cup, with the regally-bred son of Fear Zafonic and set to exit box five. Whyte has another two runners engaged in the final – Clash Of King's litter brother Superfonic, as well as the ultra consistent Tear Away Size.

Local trainer Graeme Ferns holds a strong hand in the race, also qualifying three runners from his kennel including the fastest heat winner, Elite Effort. Clocking 31.05, the son of and Elite Drop will head into the feature as one of the top picks and will be assisted by a favourable box two draw. Ferns' other finalists, Zippercode and Emerley Ice, have both been racing in constant fashion and are not without a chance.

Spring Bonanza and Miss Jackpot round out the final for Queenslander Tom Tzouvelis, the latter being a 31.42 heat winner over the 537-metre trip.

The Darwin Cup is race five on the card at Winnellie Park and will jump at 8:44pm.

Lets check out the form of each runner, with comments from Australian Racing Greyhound‘s expert tipster, Brad Bugeja.

Box One – Miss Jackpot
Blue Bitch – 28.2kg – October 2012
Vapour Whirl x Teddy's Jackpot
Prize money: $14,796
Trainer: Tom Tzouvelis
Career: 26: 9-5-3
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 31.42

“Highly talented speedster who will have derived a lot of benefit from her first look at the track last week. She was highly impressive when posting a handy 31.42 heat victory and with a clear run I would expect her to go a fair bit quicker. My only concern with her is that she is better suited to a wider draw and with the speed drawn on her outside she might get shuffled back in the early stages.”

Odds to win Darwin Cup: $5.50 with William Hill

Box Two – Elite Effort
Red Brindle Dog – 29.3kg – July 2012
Cool Effort x Elite Drop
Prize money: $16,575
Trainer: Graeme Ferns
Career: 34: 14-5-4
T/D: 19: 10-4-1
T/D Best: 31.05

“Local chaser and track specialist who was the fastest heat winner in 31.05. He is taking on a much stronger lineup this week but if he can repeat the performance from last week he will take some stopping, however there is a fair bit more early speed in this event so he will need to do everything right. He will give the locals something to cheer for but I can't see him winning.”

Odds to win Darwin Cup: $3.70 with William Hill

Box Three – Superfonic
Black Dog – 31.8kg – July 2012
Fear Zafonic x Queen Lauryn
Prize money: $24,314
Trainer: Stephen Whyte
Career: 35: 9-11-3
T/D: 3: 1-1-0
T/D Best: 31.17

“Classy Victorian chaser who was smartly placed in his heat last week and I'm expecting him to go one better tonight. He is normally a faultless beginner and he musters speed at a great rate. If he can step cleanly again tonight he should be able to cross the inside two and he always proven to be a hard chaser to run down when on the . Most reliable of the Whyte chasers and he looks a solid bet.”

Odds to win Darwin Cup: $3.60 with William Hill

Box Four – Zippercode
Black Bitch – 25.6kg – April 2012
x El Eagle
Prize money: $16,045
Trainer: Graeme Ferns
Career: 44: 13-7-5
T/D: 14: 3-2-3
T/D Best: 31.70

“Another local chaser who wasn't disgraced when placed in her heat last week, however this is a big rise in class and she will need a lot of things to go her way. Drawn in the middle she is likely to get squeezed out early and I can't see her featuring.”

Odds to win Darwin Cup: $34 with William Hill

Box Five – Clash Of Kings
Black Dog – 31.8kg – July 2012
Fear Zafonic x Queen Lauryn
Prize money: $70,749
Trainer: Stephen Whyte
Career: 40: 15-7-3
T/D: 3: 2-1-0
T/D Best: 31.05

“Probably the most talented chaser in the event and he is the reigning champ, having won this event last year in easy fashion. He was extremely unlucky in his heat and he was having his first race start in over a month, so I'm expecting him to begin a lot better tonight and he should be in the firing line for most of the trip. The only concern with him is that he does like to find trouble and the box draw hasn't done him any favours.”

Odds to win Darwin Cup: $3.80 with William Hill

Box Six – Emerley Ice
White and Blue Bitch – 24.5kg – February 2013
x Emerley Charmer
Prize money: $1,510
Trainer: Graeme Ferns
Career: 11: 1-5-0
T/D: 1: 0-1-0
T/D Best: 31.68

“Former SA chaser who has always had talent but she hasn't always wanted to show it. Since coming up to Darwin she has found a bit of form and two runs back she flew around the 383m journey here. She was place behind a gun chaser here last week and if you're looking for a blow out chance in this event she could be the one.”

Odds to win Darwin Cup: $51 with William Hill

Box Seven – Tear Away Size
Blue Brindle Bitch – 24.2kg – May 2012
x Surf Queen
Prize money: $40,170
Trainer: Stephen Whyte
Career: 39:17-3-6
T/D: 3: 2-0-0
T/D Best: 31.37

“Freakish talent when right and she has won two of her past three here in convincing style. She tends to race best when drawn nearer the inside but if she can step cleanly she has enough speed to get across and land in a prominent spot. She is going to be quite well fancied but I think the other two Whyte runners have stronger prospects.”

Odds to win Darwin Cup: $6.00 with William Hill

Box Eight – Spring Bonanza
Black Bitch – 26.6kg – October 2012
Spring Gun x Magic Fantasy
Prize money: $48,518
Trainer: Tom Tzouvelis
Career: 46: 12-6-8
T/D: 1: 0-0-1
T/D Best: 31.45

“She is clearly much better than her form indicates and if she found her best she would have some hope of winning. The big concern with her is that she is yet to win in four tries from this draw and there is an abundance of speed drawn underneath. Can win if she pings away but likely to get posted wide and will have to the hard way.”

Odds to win Darwin Cup: $7.00 with William Hill

Top Four: 3 – 5 – 1 – 7

Suggested Bets:

Win bet on Superfonic

Boxed Quinella: 1,3,5,7 ($6 for 100%)

Exacta: 3,5/1,3,5,7 ($6 for 100%)

Trifecta: 3/1,5,7/Field ($18 for 100%)

Sign-up with William Hill for up to $700 in bets.

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