This Friday night’s Group 2 PPK Mining Maitland Gold Cup (450m) is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years with some of the most promising sprinters from NSW and Victoria lining up in the feature race.
Fastest qualifier was Marbo’s Magic with the Paul Braddon-trained greyhound running 24.80 to take out his heat last Thursday - just 0.06 outside the track record.
The win was extended Marbo’s Magic’s record to 10 wins from 11 starts. He is currently a $3.60 chance with Sportsbet to take out the decider, from which he will jump from box five.
Despite Marbo’s Magic’s impressive statistics, however, Pamela Braddon, wife of trainer Paul, believes Big Ticket will be hard to stop.
Trained in Victoria by Steven Clarke, Big Ticket (box three) qualified for the Cup final with a 24.82 win in his heat – his eighth victory in his last 11 starts and 23rd overall – and is $3.40 with Sportsbet.
"I think Big Ticket in box three is the one to beat in the final," Pamela said.
"We wanted to be drawn inside him as he is a big greyhound who really uses the track.
“Having said that, we didn’t want to be any wider than box five as it gives Marbo’s Magic a chance to jump well and get into the race.
"If Big Ticket jumps well then from this draw he'll be tough to stop, but if Marbo's Magic can jump well for once then he can cross and win."
The Braddons admit that Marbo’s Magic is the best greyhound they have been involved with.
"Paul said when he was breaking Marbo's Magic in that he'd waited 40 years for a greyhound like this," Pamela said.
“Marbo's Magic's only fault is he can be a slow starter. He can't afford to do that in the final as it's such a good race.
"He's in such good form, though, that he has to have a chance."
Aston Bolero (box six), mentored by trainer of the moment Jason Thompson, is the narrow $3.20 favourite for the $36,000-to-the-winner Maitland Cup after qualifying with a 24.84 triumph.
Aston Bolero has now recorded five wins from his last eight races.
Thompson is gunning for his third Group crown in three weeks after winning the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg with Moreira and Group 2 Launching Pad with Buck Forty.
Bob’s Uncle (box one, $8) looks a decent value chance after winning his heat in 25.03 from box five.
The exciting pup has won six of his seven starts so far – all at Maitland.
Ritza Lenny (box two), Black Driftwood (box five), Sleek Master (box seven) and Rosco The Weapon in box eight complete the line-up.
Group 2 PPK Mining Maitland Gold Cup Box Draw (Sportsbet prices in brackets): 1. Bob's Uncle ($8) 2. Ritza Lenny ($5.50) 3. Big Tickey ($3.40) 4. Black Driftwood ( ($21) 5. Marbo's Magic ($3.60) 6. Aston Bolero ($3.20) 7. Sleek Master ($18) 8. Rosco The Weapon ($31). 1R: Tilly's Boy 9$13), 2R: He's Some Love ($21).
For Sportsbet's prices on this Friday's Maitland meeting, click here.
Prices correct at the time of writing.
