Gary Fahey has Breaker’s Tip “spot on” ahead of tonight’s Group 2 Curtains And Blinds Launceston Cup (515m).
The 2015 Tasmania Greyhound of the Year ($3.30 with Sportsbet) jumps from box two looking well drawn to claim the $40,000-to-the-winner cup.
Breaker’s Tip has scored two solid victories so far in the three-week series which have extended his career record to a fine 28 triumphs and 13 minor placings from 51 starts.
Usually a powerful starter, he has scored one win and two placings from three previous starts from box two and should be a contender wearing the checks in this final.
“The box draw will not be an excuse if he gets beaten,” Fahey said. “He is ideally drawn and I am expecting him to be one of the early leaders.
“Both he and Locknane Eve in box four are good to the first corner, so I think these two will be the leaders.
“Fantastic Spiral in box five is the big threat and deserved favourite. He’s so strong and if he gets a clear run will be hard to hold out.
“(But) I have Breaker’s Tip spot on for tonight and I’m expecting a good run from him.”
Breaker’s Tip has been solid rather than spectacular so far in the series, scoring a 29.82 win in the heats before improving with a 29.72 victory in the semi-finals.
He has a best of 29.46 at Launceston and certainly enjoys his visits to the track, with six wins from his last seven outings there.
“His times have been slightly down but he improved last week, which was a good sign,” Fahey said.
“He has run 29. 46 there and is capable of repeating that. If he does, he’ll be tough to stop.”
NSW star Fantastic Spiral ($2.50F), meanwhile, has his work cut out from box five.
Jason Fletcher’s two-time Group winner was a sizzling 29.38 winner in the heats and has won twice from four previous starts from the squeeze box.
Of the rest, Tecoma Emily ($6.50) won her heat and semi-final but looks badly drawn in box seven.
Lemon Sunrise (box one, $5.50) ran 29.84 from box one last week behind Tecoma Emily and with two wins from four previous starts with the red rug looks the best value chance.
This would be a first Launceston Cup triumph for Fahey, who is based at Mangalore in Tasmania’s south.
“I won a Hobart Thousand but never a Launceston Cup,” he said. “I had a few chances in the 1980s but couldn’t quite do it.
“Launceston is such a daunting track, best suited to front-runners and railers.
“It would be wonderful to finally win it and the pinnacle of Breaker’s Tip’s career.”
For Launceston Monday fields and form, click here.
Group 2 Curtains and Blinds Launceston Cup Box Draw (Sportsbet prices in brackets): 1. Lemon Sunrise ($5.50) 2. Breaker's Tip ($3.30) 3. Tricky Tails ($15) 4. Locknane Eve ($6.50)
5. Fantastic Spiral ($2.50) 6. JOFFA's Me Mate ($41) 7. Tecoma Emily ($6.50) 8. Posh Renee ($101).
Prices correct at the time of writing.
