Tuavasa Shek Aiming To Strike Gold

Tony Brett hopes Tuavasa Shek can improve on an already super 2015 with another win in tonight's Heats of the Group 1 Gold Cup (710m) at Albion Park.

The in-form stayer jumps from box one in the second of two Heats of the $75,000 -to-the-winner series and looks a strong chance here.

Tuavasa Shek ran well for previous trainer and owner Darryl Chapman, with four Wentworth Park wins helping extend his record to 12 wins and 14 minor placings from 35 starts.

He has won on his last two starts – both here – and gun trainer Brett believes the greyhound also has a good chance here.

“I wouldn’t swap him for any other greyhound in the field,” Brett said.

“Darryl and I are mates and he has been on to me to take Tuavasa Shek for a while.  With the lack of staying races up here, though, it has not been in the best interests of the dog.

“He saw this race was coming up and said, ‘do you want to have a go’.

“I was happy to (and) I think he has a Group win in him.”

Tuavasa Shek has enjoyed a notable year so far, including securing a hat-trick of Wentworth Park victories.

Brett was “OVER the moon” with his latest triumph last week, which saw the stayer come from several lengths back to win OVER the 710m in 42.02.

Click here to watch a replay of Tuavasa Shek’s win last week.

Brett is also taking charge of Luna Jinx, who won this year’s Group 1 Super Stayers (725m) as a $30.30 shot for previous trainer Len Ketelaar, in Heat one.

“She has lots of ability, but she needs to find the rail early,” he said.

“I think she is the faster of the pair, but Tuavasa Shek is the better race dog and has more of a chance here.

“He seems to be racing closer to the front these days which helps and is going well.”

Some of the country’s top stayers feature in the two Heats, aiming to qualify for next Thursday’s final.

Heat one is tough to predict, with most of the field having claims.

Mullaway (box seven) is the fastest on paper and has been a superb Albion Park performer in recent months.

Heat two also looks an even affair, with Lady Toy and Hougenie both looking decent chances for the series.

The former is making her debut at Albion Park but has been terrific OVER the 700m in recent months, regularly posing a threat to fellow Victorian and superstar stayer Space Star.