The Group 1 Gold 1242 2013 Sale Cup is race eight on the card and will jump at 9:49pm. The fastest qualifier from last week's heats is the Jason Thompson trained chaser Phenomenal. He was the only dog to break 37 seconds for the 650 metre distance and had the fastest first section. If he repeats that effort he will be hard to beat. The race also features staying sensations Lucy Wires and Dyna Willow. Last year's Sale Cup runner up Czar has made his second consecutive final.
Astute trainer Robert Britton has three runners in the field, while Greg Neocleous has his first ever group race finalist in Kayo Marciarno.
Comments: Gregory Neocleous (Trainer) – “I reckon he's an each way chance. He loves the rail so I think he's an each way chance. Phenomenal's the one to beat of course, he's got the time on the clock, but from the red I think he's an each way chance.”
Comments: Garry Selkrig (Trainer) – “He should go alright, it's a pretty hard race. He's probably the lowest qualifier in the race but I think he will try hard anyway. I think he can lead the race. The strange thing about him is, every time he has been in front, no greyhounds ever gone past him. When he's been in front in a race he hasn't been headed ever once, nearly the other night, but he still holds his record intact. It's a very very very hard race. I just need luck and hope for the best and that he has luck and that all the others have bad luck. It's all about luck, but we're in it. We're trying everything to have that extra bit in him, he's been swimming down at Frankston and been doing a bit of work.”
Comments: Robert Britton (Trainer) – “He likes the track. He ran second in the race just beaten last year, I don't think he's going any worse so he's got to be a chance based just on that. We're talking about a race with an odds on favourite in it and Phenomenal in a clearly run race will probably win, but the dogs racing well.”
Comments: Robert Britton (Trainer) – “Personally I think the race maybe just too short for her. In saying that, with her (and Born Ali) we are probably looking for a rough race. If there's a bit of interference and they stack up she'll be the dog running home. If it's a cleanly run race I'll probably be in a bit of strife. I think that she may need 700 metres.”
Comments: Robert Britton (Trainer) – “Couldn't have her racing any better. I think she's won seven of her last 10 or something like that and a couple of seconds. She's doing everything right and again, a bit like Lucy Wires, she'll be running on. If it's a cleanly run race, Phenomenal will be just too good.”
Comments: Paul Stuart (Trainer) – “It's not a good draw. It's hard to win from out there, from out wide. He's going to have to come out and try and get across to the fence. It's a bit difficult from out there and he's got a bit of speed on his outside so hopefully he comes out or he might find himself in a bit of strife on the first turn. He's going to have to begin a little bit better then last week and try and hunt up early.”
Comments: Bill Buccilli (Owner) – “I never go into any race overconfident, especially being a Group race and with the likes of some of the dogs that are in there. I'm confident with the preparation that Jason Thompson's given him, confident with the form that he has been showing the last few starts and if he can reproduce that I certainly think he's a show. From the wide box draw he's going to have to do the same thing again and lead, I think he was two lengths faster than any dog to the first post so he's going to have to reproduce that. He's been starting his last few starts. He's primed for it that's for sure.”
Comments: Tammy Collins (Kennel Representative) – “I think she'd rather be drawn closer to the rails but I'm hoping that Phenomenal's going to jump good and sort of cart her across from out wide. I don't think we'll be able to beat him (Phenomenal) because he's such a good dog. I think she's in with a chance but as I said if Phenomenal jumps on the bunny he's definitely going to be hard to beat, he's just such a good dog, but I still think she's in with a chance.”
Comments: Recent Bold Trease winner that can lead if she gets a start. She is an each way chance.
Best Sale Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
37.75
37.75
6.22
6.22
The key to the race is Phenomenal. As stated earlier, if he leads into the first turn, he will win the race. He has been brilliant since stepping up to middle distance events. If there is some interference then the run on dogs, such as Lucy Wires, will be there to take advantage of it. Dyna Willow finished off her performance strongly last week and has shown in recent times that she can lead, so she isn't without a chance. The dog that wins the race will earn connections $75,000 and add a Group 1 race to its list of achievements.