Eighty Eight to cash in on Red
10 January, 2019
Greyhound
Trainer Paul Stuart with his exciting chaser Campini. Stuart is hoping for more feature race success on Saturday with the talented Eighty Eight.
Trainer Paul Stuart believes the advantage of box one can play a big part in bringing his chaser Eighty Eight right into contention for Saturday night’s Listed Greyhounds WA Summer Chase Final over 600 metres.
Eighty Eight finished runner-up behind Yunderup Tank at his first attempt over the middle distance trip last week in the heat when beaten by just under four lengths in a time of 35.05.
“I was really pleased with his effort at his first try over the longer distance.” Stuart said.
“Yunderup Tank got the fly on him but this time around my dog moves to his favourite box on the rails and Tank moves from four out to seven which makes his task tougher.”
“I still rate Yunderup Tank as the dog to beat but the way the race now maps should give Eighty Eight every chance to boot through and hold the rail and throughout his career when he has got to that spot he has run up to his best.” Stuart mentioned.
Yunderup Tank was the fastest qualifier running 34.78 while the other heat was won by the Chris Halse prepared West On Bamboo who was on top of the speed throughout in her 34.98 victory.
While Stuart conceded Yunderup Tank had set the standard he was also weary of Dyna Orenthal and West On Bamboo who have both also drawn to advantage.
“Dyna Orenthal has been ultra-consistent since coming to WA and is drawn to get a nice run while West on Bamboo can play a big part with room to move out wide.” Stuart said.
The statistics back up Stuart’s thoughts with Dyna Orenthal having 6 starts over 600 metres since coming to WA for 2 wins and 4 placings while West On Bamboo has had 5 starts from box 8 for 3 wins and a placing.
Eighty Eight last had box one four starts ago over the 520 metre trip at Cannington when a comfortable winner in 30.01, a time just a length and a half outside of best of the night.
“He really does enjoy it when he can find the rail and importantly he has come through his heat run in really good order.” Stuart commented.
“After having to chase his heart out behind a dog that is flying like Yunderup Tank I thought it might take a bit out of him but he was feeling great post-race and that augers well for another good performance on Saturday.” Stuart said.
Stuart’s other runner on the program is Eighty Eight’s litter sister Starlight Yoyo who has been in slashing form winning her last two starts over 600 metres in best of night times of 34.72 and 34.86.
“Yoyo has really enjoyed stepping up to the longer distance where she has been able to sit right on top of the speed.” Stuart commented.
“Both of her wins have been in slick time and this race on Saturday looks right up her alley again.” Stuart suggested.
Starlight Yoyo has won 4 of her 5 starts in box two and should once again take a power of beating on Saturday night.
At Mandurah on Friday night the Group 3 Mandurah Mail Birthday Cup Final promises to be a magnificent contest with little separating a very talented group of local sprinters.
Cosmic Ox was the fastest qualifier running 22.62, kennel and littermate Cosmic Gas the next quickest at 22.67 and then it was in order of Winlock Banking 22.71, Quara’s Emma in 22.72, Westdale Prince 22.74, Jade’s Blade 22.78 and Nando’s Thunder 22.79. Alfa Tonic’s time of 23.10 was significantly slower than the rest at 23.10 but he did receive interference in the run and has the coveted box one advantage to bring himinto play.
While there was just two and a half lengths in total between seven of the runners on the clock on overall times, the early splits were also quite similar with Cosmic Ox, Westdale Prince, Cosmic Gas and Jade’s Blade all within a length of each other on times to the first marker.
TABtouch have a fixed odds market open on the Group 3 feature with Cosmic Ox the $2.80 favourite in front of Cosmic Gas at $3.70, Quara’s Emma at $5.50, Westdale Prince at $6, Alfa Tonic at $9, Winlock Banking at $9, Nando’s Thunder at $17 and Jade’s Blade at $21.
The best backed runners since betting opened have been the Jamie Marsh trained duo of Cosmic Ox and Cosmic Gas. Cosmic Ox has tightened from $3 into $2.80 while Cosmic Gas has firmed from $4 into $3.70.
If you are looking for an each way play in the race the James Jeffries trained Quara’s Emma was tremendous in her heat win and she has won all five starts from box eight in her career thus far.
David Shortte