2015 Group 1 Brisbane Cup- free tips, betting preview & best odds
THE stage is set for one of the biggest events on the Queensland greyhound racing calendar – the 520-metre Group 1 Brisbane Cup this Thursday at Albion Park.
The favourite for the $100,000 to the winner event is the Andrea Dailly-trained Dyna Double One, which clocked a scintillating 29.53 in his heat last week – just two one hundredths off his own track record set earlier this year.
The son of Barcia Bale and Crystin Bale is racing in dazzling form at present, having come into the series on the back of his stunning victory in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup where he defeated his champion kennel mate Fernando Bale in the shadows of the post.
The star Victorian will have to contend with box four in the final – the only box he is yet to win from throughout his 42 start career – and is currently the $1.70 favourite with Sportsbet.
Tony Brett's Flash Reality is right in contention for the prize, with the local star taking out his heat in 29.98 last Thursday. Despite turning four years of age this month, the son of Premier Fantasy and Orara Flash is racing in terrific style, having won four of his past five starts including a sizzling 24.59 track record run at Ipswich in November.
Group 1 Dapto Megastar hero Fantastic Spiral is one of two NSW contenders in this year's race and will be looking for his 21st career win at start 36 when he jumps from box three. He is currently $7.50 to take home the prize for owner/trainer Jason Fletcher.
NSW is also represented in the final by Old Spice ($8.50 with Bet365) which is the sentimental favourite for Hunter Valley conditioner Terry Priest. The black dog has drawn favourably in box two and holds the second fastest time heading into the feature, having clocked a slick 29.76 at his debut over the track and trip last week.
The Group 1 Brisbane Cup is race seven on the card and will jump at 8:28pm AEDT.
Below is the form for each runner, with comments and tips from Australian Racing Greyhound's form analyst, Brad Bugeja.
Box One – Chatsworthy
Black Dog – 33.8kg – November 2012
Give Me Five x Georgia Anne
Prize money: $18,503
Trainer: Sandra Hunt
Career: 9: 4-2-1
From box: 1 start: 1 win
T/D: 4: 3-1-0
T/D Best: 29.82
Career Highlights: WON Albion Park 22.46, 29.82, 30.03, 30.19
“Highly talented up and coming speedster and he really impressed when posting a sizzling 29.82 heat win last week. On that occasion he was slow to begin but he was given plenty of room in the first 50m and he was able to drive through and lead. Tonight there is an abundance of speed on his outside, so if he half misses it, he is going to get shuffled back and his chances are gone. If he had drawn the pink I would have given him a serious chance but from the red he faces a tough challenge.”
Odds to win the Brisbane Cup: $15 with Bet365
Box Two – Old Spice
Black Dog – 29.1kg – November 2012
Lochinvar Marlow x Takeover Teddy
Prize money: $28,964
Trainer: Terry Priest
Career: 31: 9-6-2
From box: 3 starts: 1 win, 1 placing
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 29.76
Career Highlights: WON Wentworth Park 29.94, 30.07, Maitland 25.33
“He had been racing in great form in recent weeks but last week he went to another level. After beginning well, he showed a devastating turn of foot and he reeled off blistering sectionals before winning in a brilliant 29.76. I don't think the run was a fluke, so if he can get away well again tonight and find the early lead I think he will steal the prize. He is my top pick at nice odds.”
Odds to win the Brisbane Cup: $8.50 with Bet365
Box Three – Fantastic Spiral
Black Dog – 31.1kg – January 2013
Spiral Nikita x Light Fantastic
Prize money: $144,544
Trainer: Jason Fletcher
Career: 35: 20-5-6
From box: 10 starts: 6 wins, 4 placings
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 30.14
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Dapto Megastar, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Topgun, 2015 Group 3 Nowra Puppy Classic
“Star NSW speedster and he looked impressive when overcoming some difficulties early to score in his heat in a solid 30.14. The time wasn't impressive but he is clearly capable of going much faster than that and with a clear passage he should make his presence felt. The big concern for him is that Dyna Double One will be looking for the rail in the initial stages and he may get crunched in the run to the first turn.”
Odds to win the Brisbane Cup: $7.50 with Crownbet
Box Four – Dyna Double One
Black Dog – 34.9kg – March 2013
Barcia Bale x Crystin Bale
Prize money: $702,936
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 42: 23-9-5
From box: 4 starts: 0 wins, 1 placing
T/D: 3: 2-1-0
T/D Best: 29.51
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Melbourne Cup, 2015 Group 3 Perth Cup Consolation, 2ND 2015 Group 2 WA Derby, 2015 Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic, 2015 Group 1 Winter Cup, 2015 Group 2 Shootout, 3RD 2015 Group 1 Silver Chief Classic, 2015 Group 1 Topgun, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg, 2015 Group 1 Adelaide Cup, 2015 Group 1 Maturity Classic, 2015 Group 3 SA Derby
“Superstar chaser who recently won the Group 1 Melbourne Cup and he followed that run up with a near record win here last week. Obviously with a clear run, he wins this race by panels, however this race does feature an abundance of early speed and I think he is a big take on in this race. He can still win coming from off the speed but he will be giving some quality chasers a big head start and it will take a mighty effort to score. Obviously he is a great chance but he is under the odds and I am happy to take him on.”
Odds to win the Brisbane Cup: $1.70 with Sportsbet
Box Five – Cervelo
Black Bitch – 29.0kg – March 2013
Magic Sprite x Bella Romana
Prize money: $39,557
Trainer: Peter Ruetschi
Career: 41: 12-4-6
From box: 1 start: 0 wins, 0 placings
T/D: 21: 5-2-4
T/D Best: 29.92
Career Highlights: 3RD 2015 Young Guns, 2015 Group 3 Ipswich Gold Cup
“Explosive beginner and although she is rising in class I think she can give a cheeky site at big odds. She has won five races over this journey and she can run around the 29.90 mark when on the lure, that sort of effort would be good enough to hang on for a place in a race like this. She is currently around $51 with most corporate bookmakers and I suggest you have something on her for the place.”
Odds to win the Brisbane Cup: $51 with William Hill
Box Six – Flash Reality
Black Dog – 33.6kg – December 2011
Premier Fantasy x Orara Flash
Prize money: $208,280
Trainer: Tony Brett
Career: 39: 19-6-5
From box: 6 starts: 3 wins, 0 placings
T/D: 28: 15-4-4
T/D Best: 29.58
Career Highlights: WON 2014 Group 1 Winter Carnival Cup, 2014 Group 2 QLD Derby, 3RD 2014 Group 1 Dapto Megastar, FINALIST 2014 Group 1 National Sprint Championship, 2015 Group 1 Temlee, 2015 Group 1 Winter Cup
“Gun speedster and two starts back he showed that he is still capable of matching it with those types of chasers when he broke the long standing 431m Track Record at Ipswich. He was able to find the lead quite easily in his heat and he reeled off handy sectionals, the big concern though is that he did get a stitch in the run home. Tonight's race features a heap of early speed and I don't really like his chances of getting across in the first 50m, so I can't really see him making an impact.”
Odds to win the Brisbane Cup: $7 with Sportsbet
Box Seven – Simpatico
Black Bitch – 24.6kg – July 2013
Magic Sprite x Absolute Style
Prize money: $48,410
Trainer: Glenn Smith
Career: 25: 14-4-1
From box: 4 starts: 2 wins, 1 placing
T/D: 15: 9-3-0
T/D Best: 29.79
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Young Guns, FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Lismore Cup, 2015 Group 3 Ipswich Gold Cup
“Enormous talent but in recent weeks she has really let herself down with very poor getaways. Her effort last week was massive because she had to come from off the speed and she was beaten by less than two lengths in very fast time. The wide draw is a big disadvantage but if she did happen to step cleanly she would cross these comfortably and probably win. So it all comes down to whether or not she can time the start. She is currently way over the odds, so it might be worthwhile having something small on her for the win.”
Odds to win the Brisbane Cup: $15 with Bet365
Box Eight – Cyndie's Magic
Black Bitch – 26.0kg – March 2013
Magic Sprite x Regal Silver
Prize money: $71,824
Trainer: Bill Elson
Career: 48: 14-11-6
From box: 4 starts: 1 win, 1 placing
T/D: 18: 3-5-3
T/D Best: 29.94
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Gold Cup, 2015 Group 2 QLD Futurity, 2015 Young Guns
“She is better known over the longer distances but last week she did show her sprinting qualities when placed behind Dyna Double One. The rails draw was a big advantage in that race and that allowed her to settle a lot closer to the early speed than normal. She is likely to be posted wide for most of the trip tonight and I can't see her featuring.”
Odds to win the Brisbane Cup: $34 with Crownbet
1st Reserve – Inspector Cloud
Brindle Dog – 31.5kg – May 2013
Dyna Tron x Smiley Cloud
Prize money: $38,242
Trainer: Gavin Lowe
Career: 32: 12-9-4
From box: N/A
T/D: 13: 4-5-0
T/D Best: 29.85
Career Highlights: WON Lismore 24.08, 30.24, Albion Park 29.85, 29.92, 30.15, 30.43
“Powerful chaser and he has a terrific record over this track and trip. If he happened to gain a run he could seriously threaten for some minor money.”
Odds to win the Brisbane Cup: $17 with William Hill
2nd Reserve – Macnivek
White and Black Dog – 35.2kg – July 2013
Glen Gallon x Velocity Thunder
Prize money: $43,123
Trainer: Kevin Ellis
Career: 29: 7-11-5
From box: N/A
T/D: 13: 2-6-4
T/D Best: 30.00
Career Highlights: 2ND 2015 Ipswich Derby, 2015 Group 3 Ipswich Gold Cup
“Always seems to find one better in his races but he does have a lot of talent. This class is probably a little beyond him but he will be a major player in open races in the coming months.”
Odds to win the Brisbane Cup: $21 with Sportsbet
Top Four: 2 – 4 – 5 – 7
Suggested Bets:
Win bets on Old Spice and Simpatico
Place Bet on Cervelo
Boxed Quinella: 2,4,5,7 ($6 for 100%)
Exacta: 2,4,7/2,4,5,7 ($9 for 100%)