Dyna Double One looks formidable but Peter Ruetschi believes exciting pup Pop The CORK is a strong chance for tonight's mouthwatering Group 1 Garrard’s Winter Cup (520m).
The pair are among a high-calibre line-up for the $100,000-to-the-winner decider, with double Group 1 winner Keybow (pictured), 2015 Golden Easter Egg runner-up Dawkins Bale and last year’s winner Flash Reality also contenders.
Gun Victorian Dyna Double One broke the track record in last week’s heats with a stunning 29.51 run, is in great form for trainer Andrea Dailly and has a terrific record from box five, where he jumps from tomorrow night.
Pop The CORK (box one) was almost as impressive in the heats, though, and Ruetschi thinks his greyhound can secure a first Group title of what should be a great career.
“He can beat any dog in Australia on his night,” Ruetschi said.
“The Dailly greyhounds are flying – they are freaks – but I have no doubt Pop The CORK is up to them.
“Everyone thinks he doesn’t handle the inside but he’s had no luck from there before. He’s had speed dogs coming across and checking him.
“If he is up with the rest at the first corner, he can win.”
The son of legendary Brett Lee and 17-race winner Ima Geisha Girl, Pop the CORK has been a hot prospect since debuting in February.
He has eight wins from 12 starts, including a 29.59 effort three races back and a brilliant 29.67 display last week.
Dyna Double One (box five), who is the current $2.50 favourite with Sportsbet, looks hard to stop here and is in strong form.
Arguably Australia’s current number two sprinter behind kennelmate Fernando Bale, he has six wins and three minor placings from his last 10 starts.
He has been drawn wider recently but has an eye-catching four wins and two minor placings from six starts from the squeeze box.
This is a cracking race, with most of the field having claims.
Dyna Double One’s kennelmate Dawkins Bale (box four, $6), has been one of Australia’s most consistent performers this year and ran 29.76 on his Albion Park debut last week.
He is hit-and-miss from box four but in current form must be considered here.
Keybow (box seven, $4.50) has flourished under Tony Brett’s tutelage with two wins in his last three starts and looks to be hitting form for this race.
He won the Sky Racing Brisbane Cup here last year and has two wins and a placing from his four previous starts from box seven.
Flash Reality (box six, $11) endured a four-month lay-off earlier this year but has run into form again, including last week’s 29.87 win.
Of the rest of the field, Fabulous Storm (box two, $15) has been arguably Queensland’s most consistent greyhound in 2015 and with this draw looks a decent roughie.
Elsewhere at Albion Park, look for Tuff It (race two), Hope's Fantasy in race three and Swap Ya in race four to claim wins.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 1 Garrard’s Winter Cup Final Box draw (Sportsbet.com.au Fixed Odds prices in brackets): 1. Pop The CORK ($3.20) 2. Fabulous Storm ($15) 3.Keybow ($4.50) 4. Dawkins Bale ($6) 5. Dyna Double One ($2.50) 6. Flash Reality ($11) 7. Victory Prince ($51) 8. Yada Yada Yada ($51). 1R: Swap Ya, 2R: Blue Scorpion.
Prices correct at time of writing.
