Reefton Treasure may not be ideally drawn but owner-trainer Margaret Bannerman still believes her greyhound has a chance of snaring Sunday’s Group 3 tab.com.au Canberra Cup (530m).
Bannerman’s greyhound jumps from box eight in the $25,000-to-the-winner decider aiming to extend his consistent record of 11 wins and six minor placings from 25 starts.
Reefton Treasure qualified with a 30.74 triumph in last week’s heats and has won three times and placed three times in six visits to the nation’s capital.
He has only scored one placing in four previous starts wearing the pink rug but Bannerman believes her greyhound could still score a much-coveted success.
“Box eight will be very hard but he will be in there trying his best,” she said.
“I expect Let it Develop in box six and Slamming Thunder in seven, who have strong early pace, to be the leaders. They may give him a bit of room to get into the race.
“If he can get a clear run to the first corner without getting into any trouble then he’ll be in it.
“It will be very tough but if the leaders make a mistake, he can capitalize on it.”
Reefton Treasure has been a handy performer for Bannerman since debuting in March this year, with his record including smart victories in tough company at Wentworth Park and The Meadows.
His impressive form includes a storming 30.46 run at Canberra in May and with four triumphs in his last seven starts, he enters the high-calibre final as one of the in-form hopefuls.
“I couldn’t be happier with him,” Bannerman, who works out of Reefton in the NSW Riverina region, said. “He is such a beautiful greyhound and always gives 100 per cent.
“I’ve been in a couple of Canberra cups before but never really had a chance, but he is better than my previous hopes. It would be great to win one and with a bit of luck, we can.”
Other runners in the Canberra Cup include last year’s Goulburn Cup winner Let it Develop who was the fastest heat qualifier in 30.51.
Asa Carrera (box one) won in 30.68 last week and triumphed on her only previous start from box one at Wentworth Park in May.
Blue Revolver (box four) won his heat in 30.61, has saluted on his last three starts and with almost $90,000 prize money to his name is arguably the best greyhound in the race.
It’s Classified (box two), Good Odds Bricky (box three) and Vince Fawn in box five complete the field.
The Canberra Cup is race eight of a 11-race card at Canberra.
For Canberra Sunday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
