Iva Vision looks in the best possible shape for Thursday’s Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup Final (520m).
That is the message from owner-trainer Peter Young ahead of the $75,000-to-the-winner race at Albion Park, which is shaping up as a cracker.
The sprinter underlined his impressive record with a scorching run in last week’s heats and has drawn favourably in box two for the decider.
Young is in happy pre-race mood but with the likes of Keybow (box 7, pictured) in an even-looking field he is expecting a nervous night.
“We cheered when we heard the box draw,” Young said. “We were very happy with that.
“Anything can happen but he is a good railer and is a smart greyhound.
“He will be right at his peak on Thursday, but whether he can hold out the likes of Keybow and Exhibitionist – that is the big question.”
Iva Vision has been one of the country’s top greyhounds in 2014, with last week’s victory taking his record to 13 wins and four placings from 20 starts.
He has two Group titles already to his name and is likely to start around the $2.30 mark for the final.
Iva Vision also has an incredible record at Albion Park, placing on 13 of his 15 starts there since debuting in February this year.
Last week’s victory in 30.15 illustrated Iva Vision’s ability to find the rail and find the late powerful surge.
“He finished very strongly last week,” Young said.
“He came through the race well and will come to the track this time a lot fitter.”
Young is planning to take Iva Vision interstate again after this race, with the sprinter's Next assignment likely to be the Group 2 Gosford Cup heats on Boxing Day.
Win, lose or draw, Iva Vision will certainly have plenty of support come race time.
“We've got about 20 of the family coming to watch him," Young, who works out of Morayfield, about 40km north of Brisbane, said. “For a lot of the family it will be a first chance to see him on the track, so it will be wonderful if we can win it.
“I think it’s one of those races where it’s not just about three or four of the better greyhounds – you have to look for the others sneaking through too.
“I wish everyone luck and I hope one of the Queenslanders can win the cup.”
Last year’s winner Kiss Me Ketut (box eight) and box one's Cyndie's Special are also contenders.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
Group 1 Brisbane Cup Box Draw (Tab Fixed Odds prices in brackets): 1. Cyndie's Special ($9.50); 2. Iva Vision ($2.30); 3. You Can Talk ($31); 4. Exhibitionist ($6.50); 5. Le Sireunse ($41); 6. Fusaichi Kahn ($18); 7. Keybow ($2.30); 8. Kiss Me Ketut ($10). Reserve: Clash Of Kings.
