Stephen Whyte has last year’s winner Clash Of Kings featuring again in Sunday’s Group 3 Sage Contracting Darwin Cup (537m) final but believes kennelmate Superfonic is his best chance of success this year.
A son of Fear Zafonic and Queen Lauryn, Superfonic jumps from box three in the $25,000-to-the-winner final and is one of three chances for Whyte.
Clash Of Kings (box five) ran 31.64 in last week’s heats, while Tear Away Size jumps from box seven after qualifying in 31.41.
Superfonic (31.17) was less than two lengths behind fastest qualifier Elite Effort in last week’s heats and Victorian trainer Whyte rates him as his top hope.
“You know how it is with these finals,” he said. “You have to be up there early.
“Superfonic just has more genuine pace for the early part of the race. He seems to step out of the boxes a little quicker (than the other two).
“These last two months he has really become a ‘good’ race dog as well.”
Superfonic is in consistent form, with a victory and four placings in his last seven starts.
Clash Of Kings was a little “underdone” last week according to Whyte but should benefit from that run to improve.
Tear Away Size would have been more dangerous from the inside but was the third fastest qualifier and looks a placing hope.
This is a tight race, with all eight finalists having a winning chance.
Elite Effort (box two), trained by local Graeme Ferns, was an impressive 31.05 winner last week and looks a strong chance.
The son of Cool Effort and Elite Drop is in great form, with four wins from his last five starts.
Ferns also has Zippercode, who ran 31.50 while finishing third in her heat, jumping from box four.
Zippercode ran 31.70 and has a decent record from the box, so is a decent value chance.
Queenslander Tom Tzouvelis has two strong contenders, Spring Bonanza (box eight) and Miss Jackpot with the red rug.
Both are solid greyhounds and decent each way chances but would be bigger threats with the draw reversed.
Emerley Ice (box six) has had four good runs in Darwin recently but this draw may be too tough.
Whyte and his wife have been regular travellers north in recent years, escaping the chilly Victorian winter for two months.
“It’s like a hidden paradise here,” he said. “It’s a wonderful experience (and) it gives our greyhounds a great trip away.
“The hardest part is finding someone to help look after your greyhounds, but luckily we know good people here who love their animals.
“The people are a great bunch and it’s a lovely break.”
Sunday's race is at 8.14pm (local time).
Group 3 Sage Contracting Darwin Cup Final (537m) Box Draw: 1. Miss Jackpot 2. Elite Effort 3. Superfonic 4. Zippercode 5. Clash Of Kings 6. Emerley Ice 7. Tear Away Size 8. Spring Bonanza. 1R: Presh 2R: Eyre.
