Smart Valentino’s Scratching Throws Sydney Cup Wide Open

A star-studded lineup of stayers will battle it out tonight at , vying for the coveted Three worth $25,000 to the winner. With the unfortunate scratching of Smart Valentino from box one, betting will be thrown wide open after his perfect box draw and personal best of 41.88, had many already declaring another trophy was heading to the mantelpiece of trainer Mark Swift.

After the heats were run and won last Saturday night, was victorious in both races with talented chasers, Set Sail South (42.20) and Infinite Wish (42.34), capping off a spectacular night for the Victorian trainer.

's Gradence was gallant in defeat behind Infinite Wish, just nudged out at the finish and Bell Haven for Edward Medhurst put in another solid performance to finish runner up behind Set Sail South.

The all-important box draw will play its roll tonight as greyhounds vie for their position at the first turn and rely on pure heart and stamina to last out the grueling 720m journey.

Group Three Sydney

Box One – Suits Us – Kenneth Burnett ($19.00): finished fifth last week behind Infinite Wish and is yet to record a win over this distance at the track. Has the right box but will need significant improvement to test this hot field.

Box Two – Set Sail South – Angela Langton ($2.60): extremely impressive on debut at the track last week, making his way through the field after a steady start to streak away at the finish in a fast 42.20. Only needs some luck from this draw and will be hard to beat again.

Box Three – Lucy Wires – Robert Britton ($6.00): was at the tail of the field for the majority of her heat last week behind Infinite Wish. Flashed home to finish in fourth spot and will be one to watch if she gets some luck tonight.

Box Four – Bell Haven – Edward Medhurst ($8.50): began fast from box six last week and sat behind the early leader, waiting to make her move she copped a few checks and sprinted to the finish to place second behind Set Sail South. Expect another big performance tonight from this talented stayer, with luck the only element required.

Box Five – Number Krunch – ($23.00): finished third last week behind Set Sail South after being squeezed out at the start and forced to the tail of the field. Ran home very well and took a lot of ground off those in front of him.

Box Six – Pride Of Egypt – ($16.00): very talented stayer who has racked up a stack of wins over the middle and staying distances in recent times. Began very poor last week and took enormous ground of the greyhounds in front of him and didn't have any luck on the home turn. Expect another solid performance tonight, very capable of stealing this.

Box Seven – Infinite Wish – Angela Langton ($4.40): was outstanding on debut at the track last week, edging out track specialist Gradence in 42.34. Will be looking for sixth consecutive win tonight and has a perfect box draw inside a slow beginner.

Box Eight – Gradence – Mark Gatt ($3.80): drawn to perfection out wide as a notable slow beginner. Has a stack of ability and only needs some luck to be victorious. Very gallant in defeat behind infinite Wish last week, just being nudged out at the finish and look for him to wind up at the concluding stages of the race.

The Sydney Cup will be run and won at 9.47pm tonight (EDST).

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