Team Bravo set for a big night at the ‘bool
BRETT and Kelly Bravo will be aiming for a big night at Warrnambool next Wednesday, with runners engaged in both the Group 2 Warrnambool Cup and the Group 2 Warrnambool Classic.
The features, both run over the 450m trip, are worth $47,000 and $75,000 to the winner respectively, and have attracted quality fields.
Team Bravo will have star sprinter Unlawful Entry in the Cup, with the brindle and white greyhound breaking the track record in his heat, running a phenomenal 24.72.
Despite only beginning fairly from box three, Unlawful Entry was able to barge his way through the pack, finding the front around the turn and shooting clear to score by 3.16 lengths over Alpha Hermes.
Kelly Bravo was in awe of her chaser's performance, claiming his second track record after previously setting a new 28.95 benchmark at Sandown Park.
“When he came out the way he did I thought it was going to be a 25.20 run, he just keeps surprising everyone how quick he actually is – I don't know what he would have run if he jumped,” Bravo told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“He seems to pick gaps which aren't there. He isn't a very big dog – he is only just under 31 kilograms – but he seems to make room for himself.
“When we got him he was still learning how to race, but now he is starting to put it all together and learn what racing is all about.”
Unlawful Entry has been quite a buy for the leading Victorian husband and wife duo. Owned by their daughter Bronte, the son of Knocka Norris and She Ain't Late joined Bravo's Lovely Banks kennel with the humble record of 10 starts for three wins and three minor placings.
He has now won in excess of $231,000, with his major career victories coming in the Group 1 Hobart Thousand, the Group 2 Great Chase and the Listed Cup Night Sprint, while he has also qualified for a further three group or listed races (2ND Group 2 Ballarat Cup, 4TH Group 1 Temlee, 7TH Listed Australian Sprint).
Unlawful Entry, $3.20 with Crownbet, will jump from box three in the Warrnambool Cup final, the same box he used to score his devastating heat win.
“We were hoping for either box one or eight, but realistically it probably doesn't matter too much with him,” Bravo said.
Aiming to add to the riches for team Bravo is Cactus Jack which will jump from box five in the Warrnambool Classic. The son of Barcia Bale and Size It Up caught the eye when scoring a sensational 25.00 qualifying win on Wednesday, taking his career record to three wins and four minor placings from seven starts.
The black dog will start from box five in the final and is rated a $6 shot with Crownbet to take home the prize.
“He has got a lot of potential and I have liked him for a long time,” Bravo said.
“In one of his earlier starts he ran second at The Meadows – he got a bit tired at the end and got run down but he showed a lot of brains to work his way through the field – and he seems to race like that every week and I think he is going to be a very nice dog later on.
“He missed the kick in his heat and only went 25.60, but he had to come from three lengths last and he made his way through the field to finish second.
“He is very keen and when we originally started out with him we thought we were going to have to send him away to get some extra box work done with him, but once he got a few trials under his belt he started to settle down.
“We are hoping that being his third week in a row there this week he might settle in the boxes and jump well.”
Bravo remains optimistic her charges will make their presence felt in their finals, however she concedes they will both need a bit of luck in running.
“They are both a bit hit and miss at the start, so we'll do a bit of box work with them this week and keep them working.
“They are both in there with a good chance and I think they are both the quickest dogs in each of the races, but whether that is enough to get them over the line I don't know.”
Group 2 Warrnambool Classic market
Box 1 – Connemara Black – $5
Box 2 – Striker Klinsman – $6.50
Box 3 – Kilty Express – $5
Box 4 – One For Me – $4
Box 5 – Cactus Jack – $6 with Crownbet
Box 6 – Magic Is Might – $10
Box 7 – Aeroplane Bob – $4.50
Box 8 – Shep – $21
1st Res – Twist Of Thunder – $15
2nd Res – Fiorelli Rose – $26
Group 2 Warrnambool Cup market
Box 1 – Mystery Ride – $9
Box 2 – To The Galo's – $9
Box 3 – Unlawful Entry – $3.20
Box 4 – Deano's Gadget – $67
Box 5 – Marbo's Magic – $4.50 with Crownbet
Box 6 – Zambora Brockie – $3.80
Box 7 – Aston Bolero – $4.50
Box 8 – Marley Bale – $15
1st Res – Alpha Hermes – $15
2nd Res – American Warrior – $15