2016 Group 1 Winter Cup – free tips & best betting odds
Rated a $2.10 shot with Sportsbet, the son of Nitro Burst and Flying Liddy comes into the feature as the fastest qualifier, having recorded an airborne 29.64 in his qualifier on June 30.
Stepping well from box two on that occasion, the black powerhouse made the race a one-act affair, defeating the consistent Vegas Bound by eight-and-one-quarter lengths on the line.
Already a three-time group winner, Zambora Brockie moves into box four for the $75,250 to the winner final, with a win this Thursday set to take his career earnings to over $317,000 for trainer Anthony Azzopardi.
His biggest challengers in the feature appear to be Thirty Talks (box six) and Blazin' Bomber (box eight), both of which come into the race in terrific form.
Blazin' Bomber is a freakish Victorian who has been extremely unlucky to have not broken through at the highest level, having already contested three group 1 races during his career.
The Darren Pattinson-trained dog ran a slick 29.71 in winning his heat last Thursday, with a repeat performance at $5 sure to see him go close to winning the final.
Thirty Talks is prepared by master conditioner Tony Brett and has won 14 of his 18 starts to date including a victory in the Group 2 Richmond Riches series.
Despite missing the kick in his heat last week, the brindle dog showed enormous ticker to barge his way to the front, holding off a late challenge by Cyndie's Magic to score in 29.93.
Thirty Talks is a $6.50 chance to take home his first group 1 on Thursday night.
Thirty Talk's litter sister Split Image, also trained by Brett, will jump from box seven in the decider, with the daughter of Where's Pedro and Unfinished priced at $16.
The speedy bitch has a great turn of foot, but the last 50 metres are a bit of a query against a field of this calibre.
Talented litter sisters Vegas Bound (box two) and Outside Pass (box three) are not without a chance for Tony Apap, although they will both need luck in the early stages.
Outside Pass is given the best chance of the pair at $8, with the 30.1 kilogram bitch a winner of her past three over the track and trip including a 29.68 personal best.
Vegas Bound is the outsider of the field at $51, but the white and black greyhound has a big engine and could easily work her way home into the multiples.
Cyndie's Magic is one of the most consistent greyhounds in the state and she was freshened up for the Winter Cup series having competed in both the Group 1 Gold Cup and the Listed Superstayers over the staying trip last month.
She took a stack of ground off Thirty Talks in the run to the line in their heat and she is well drawn in the one to run a cheeky race.
Rounding out the field is Master Jackpot (box five) for Anthony Azzopardi, with the son of Vapour Whirl and Teddy's Jackpot a $21 proposition following his second behind Outside Pass in their qualifier.
The Group 1 Winter Cup is race eight on the card this Thursday night and it set to jump at 9:12pm.
Box One – Cyndie's Magic
Black Bitch – 26.0kg – March 2013
Magic Sprite x Regal Silver
Prize money: $209,010
Trainer: Bill Elson
Career: 79: 24-23-10
Box: 11: 5-3-2
TD: 34: 7-13-5
TD Best: 29.94
Career Highlights: WON 2016 Rockhampton Cup, 2016 Winter Chase, 2ND 2016 Group 1 Gold Cup, 2015 Group 1 Brisbane Cup, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Gold Cup, 2015 Group 2 QLD Futurity, 2016 Group 3 Queensland Cup
Odds to win the Winter Cup: $13 with William Hill
Box Two – Vegas Bound
White and Black Bitch – 29.2kg – August 2013
Head Bound x Tina's Show
Prize money: $53,837
Trainer: Tony Apap
Career: 36: 8-16-7
Box: 3: 0-1-1
TD: 12: 2-8-2
TD Best: 30.23
Career Highlights: 3RD 2016 Group 2 Ipswich Auction, FINALIST 2016 Group 1 Gold Cup, 2016 Group 3 The Racecallers
Odds to win the Winter Cup: $51 with Crownbet
Box Three – Outside Pass
Black Bitch – 30.1kg – August 2013
Head Bound x Tina's Show
Prize money: $51,858
Trainer: Tony Apap
Career: 25: 11-4-1
Box: 3: 1-0-1
TD: 15: 8-2-0
TD Best: 29.68
Career Highlights: 2ND 2016 Group 3 Bill Collins Speed Star, FINALIST 2016 Group 2 Richmond Oaks
Odds to win the Winter Cup: $8 with Crownbet
Box Four – Zambora Brockie
Black Dog – 30.8kg – September 2013
Nitro Burst x Flying Liddy
Prize money: $242,353
Trainer: Anthony Azzopardi
Career: 34: 21-3-3
Box: 4: 2-0-1
TD: 2: 2-0-0
TD Best: 29.64
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Vic Peters Classic, 2016 Group 2 Warrnambool Cup, 2016 Group 2 Horsham Cup, FINALIST 2016 Group 1 Paws of Thunder, 2016 Group 1 Temlee
Odds to win the Winter Cup: $2.10 with Sportsbet
Box Five – Master Jackpot
Black Dog – 30.8kg – October 2012
Vapour Whirl x Teddy's Jackpot
Prize money: $49,896
Trainer: Anthony Azzopardi
Career: 36: 16-3-2
Box: 3: 1-1-0
TD: 8: 3-2-0
TD Best: 30.04
Career Highlights: WON Lismore 24.33, Casino 27.86, Sandown Park 29.33
Odds to win the Winter Cup: $21 with Sportsbet
Box Six – Thirty Talks
Brindle Dog – 35.6kg – June 2014
Where's Pedro x Unfinished
Prize money: $144,943
Trainer: Tony Brett
Career: 18: 14-0-1
Box: 4: 2-0-1
TD: 8: 6-0-1
TD Best: 29.66
Career Highlights: WON 2016 Group 2 Richmond Riches, 3RD 2016 Group 2 QLD Derby, FINALIST 2016 Group 2 Vince Curry Maiden, 2016 Listed Flying Amy Classic
Odds to win the Winter Cup: $6.50 with William Hill
Box Seven – Split Image
Brindle Bitch – 29.6kg – June 2014
Where's Pedro x Unfinished
Prize money: $90,354
Trainer: Tony Brett
Career: 14: 5-6-1
Box: 0: 0-0-0
TD: 9: 4-4-1
TD Best: 29.94
Career Highlights: WON 2016 Group 2 Vince Curry Memorial, 2ND 2016 Group 2 QLD Futurity, 2016 Listed Flying Amy Classic
Odds to win the Winter Cup: $16 with William Hill
Box Eight – Blazin' Bomber
Black Dog – 32.6kg – November 2013
Kinloch Brae x Absolute Stunna
Prize money: $164,765
Trainer: Darren Pattinson
Career: 34: 19-5-6
Box: 1: 0-0-1
TD: 2: 1-0-1
TD Best: 29.71
Career Highlights: WON 2016 Group 3 Bill Collins Speed Star, 2015 Group 3 Cranbourne Puppy Classic, 2ND 2016 Group 2 Horsham Cup, 3RD 2015 Group 1 Vic Peters Classic, 2016 Group 1 Harrison-Dawson, FINALIST 2016 Group 1 Perth Cup, 2015 Group 3 Dillon Memorial
Odds to win the Winter Cup: $5 with Crownbet
1st Res – Abby's Magic
Black Bitch – 26.7kg – March 2013
Magic Sprite x Regal Silver
Prize money: $70,997
Trainer: Bill Elson
Career: 78: 12-11-10
Box: N/A
TD: 41: 4-8-5
TD Best: 30.03
Career Highlights: FINALIST 2016 Group 1 Gold Cup, 2015 Group 2 QLD Futurity
Odds to win the Winter Cup: $67 with Crownbet
2ND Res – Cheeky Chance
Black Bitch – 27.0kg – June 2013
Lord Ducal x Smart Babe
Prize money: $51,251
Trainer: Raymond Burman
Career: 82: 12-14-15
Box: N/A
TD: 49: 6-11-8
TD Best: 30.00
Career Highlights: WON Albion Park 30.00, 34.88
Odds to win the Winter Cup: $67 with Crownbet