Some of the best sprinters in South Australia will go head-to-head in the Group 3 MichaelKris Real Estate Gawler Gold Cup (531m) on Sunday evening.
Leading South Australian trainer Troy Murray, including fastest heat winner It’s Classified who will jump from box two.
It’s Classified returned to the form that saw him win three of his first four starts, with a blistering 30.39 victory, defeating runner-up Peejay Jack by 5 ¼ lengths.
If he can repeat his heat performance, It’s Classified will be very hard to stop in the Cup and is likely to be vying for favouritism in the lead-up to the race.
Murray’s other runner in the Gawler Cup is Real Flash, who set the second fastest winning time in the heats with a 30.78 victory.
Real Flash has an awkward draw in box five for Sunday’s final, but with some luck will be in the finish as well.
Placid Planet, meanwhile, may set the slowest time out of all the heat winners, but his victory was easily the most thrilling.
Trained by Ben Rawlings, Placid Planet came from several lengths back with a wide run down the home straight to triumph in 30.90 – his third win in his last four starts.
He has box four for the Gawler Cup, but Rawlings believe he is a winning chance provided he jumps cleanly.
“I was delighted with him last week,” Rawlings said. “That was a really good run.
“He lacks the early pace of some here but a great start would put him right in the race. That’s the key.
“Some of these may be a little too good for him over the 500 metres but he has a chance.”
This would be a first Group title for Rawlings, who has enjoyed a super year on the track.
As well as Placid Planet’s good form, the 24-year-old’s achievements include scoring 10 straight wins with Kalden Legenda and winning the SA Sprint Final with Alex’s Entity.
“It’s been a great year, racing-wise,” he said. “It would be great to finish with a first Group title.
“Because he’s more of a 600 metre greyhound, I can’t have great expectations, but if Placid Planet stays with them early, he’s in the race.”
The final is at 8.54pm local time (9.24pm ADST).
Elsewhere at Gawler, Nit Noi (box one) aims to continue his good recent form in race seven.
Formerly mentored by gun NSW trainer Matt Gatt, Nit Noi has starred for Lauren Harris in South Australia with six wins in his last seven starts.
Aston Coco (race four) and Ritza Raider (race nine) are both in good form and look ideally drawn in box one to salute.
For Gawler Sunday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
