Trainer John Iwanyk and his kennel star Ima Wagtail could have struck the perfect combination for victory in Saturday night’s Group 1 Sky Racing Perth Cup (520m).
Ima Wagtail ($4.50 with Sportsbet) jumps from box one fresh from his career-best 29.97 run in last week’s heats.
Since transferring to Iwanyk’s Nambeelup kennels and resuming in March from a three-month spell, Ima Wagtail has won three from three – all at the new Cannington track.
The son of Oaks Road and Aella has won two of his four starts from box one, including a victory at Cannington three starts back, and second a brave two-and-three-quarter-length 29.97 victory in his heat last week.
“I was so impressed with that win,” Iwanyk.
“He hadn’t run for two-and-a-half weeks and his back leg got clipped during the race, so he showed a lot of character to power home.
“He’s always had ability and it’s starting to come through now. I’m expecting Ramifications in box two to begin well and he’s a big threat, but if mine can push through, not get checked and lead then I think they’ll find it hard to cross him.
This would be a remarkable win for Ima Wagtail, who went through a very rough patch of form during the Cannington track closure, only registering two wins in 14 starts over the 490m at Mandurah.
But he has bounced back under Iwanyk’s mentorship and is undefeated since Cannington reopened.
“I had reservations that he could run the 500 metres, but he’s proven me wrong,” Iwanyk said.
“I’m really excited and I’m just so happy for the greyhound. He’s great to work with – and I think there’s more to come from him.”
This is an even-looking final after several big names missed out in last week’s heats.
Fastest qualifier Blazin’ Bomber (box three, $3) defeated the likes of recent Group 1 Golden Easter Egg winner Moreira to qualify for the decider and has now won three straight since returning from a two-month spell.
Last year’s Group 3 Cranbourne Cup winner can be tardy from the boxes but when is formidable when he hits his stride and had been primed for the series by trainer Darren Pattison.
Race favourite Ramifications (box two, $2.40) meanwhile, has won his last five starts, including a 29.88 victory last week, and looks a huge chance.
Victorian Shared Equity ($8.50) will likely find it tough from box six, but the 25-race winner is a class act and looks the best value chance.
Lorus Time (box four, $17), Tiggerlong Await (box five, $13), Katsuro Sahara (box seven, $16) and Miracle ($101) in box eight complete the field.
In the night’s other feature event, Victorian greyhound Seeking Justice looks the top pick from box one in the Group 1 Sky Racing Galaxy (715m, race five)
The stayer won his heat in a smart 42.41 from box four last week and has won two of his four starts wearing the red rug.
He can lead the rest from box one, although both in-form duo Lioness Lulu (box seven) and Dyna Nihilist (box four), who has won his last two starts, look formidable challengers.
Recent Group 1 Golden Easter Egg winner Moreira (box seven) narrowly missed out on a place in the Perth Cup but can make amends in the Group 3 Sky Racing Perth Cup Consolation (race three, 520m).
Jason Thompson’s greyhound was narrowly beaten out by Blazin’ Bomber in last week’s cup heat despite running a smart 29.89 and in current form can take the $25,000 top prize.
Star SA stayer Luna Jinx (box one) can also end her Western Australian campaign with victory over the 715m in race six.
The Gavin Harris-trained greyhound finished third in the Galaxy heats last week but came home strongly and has a strong record of five wins and four minor placings from 13 starts wearing the red rug.
For Cannington Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
For Sportsbet’s odds on Saturday’s Cannington action, click here.
