Nambeelup trainer Chris Halse believes Ramifications is the best of his four contenders in tonight’s Group 3 Greyhounds WA Mandurah Cup (490m).
Halse rugs up Pepper Fire (box three), Who’s Got Blue (box four), Ramifications (box five) and Who’s Driving (box six) in the $25,000-to-the-winner final.
Each greyhound looks a winning chance, with Pepper Fire, Who’s Got Blue and Who’s Driving all winning well in last week’s heats.
Ramifications finished second behind Fun Boss in last week’s heats but has an impressive best of 27.48 over this trip at Mandurah and has won three of his five starts from box five.
“Ramifications is the quickest dog in the race,” Halse said. “He’ll need luck early but he’s not badly drawn and talent-wise he’s the best of these four.
“Who’s Got Blue is not in his league in terms of ability but is a good ‘bread and butter’ greyhound.
“Who’s Driving is over from Angela Langton’s kennels in Victoria and has done well to qualify. He likes the wider draws so perhaps the six isn’t bad for him, so he’s not without a chance.
“Purely on ability, Ramifications is my best shot.”
Ramifications has scored placings in his last three starts – all over the 490m at Mandurah – and with his huge motor may prove hard to hold out.
The main danger to Halse’s quartet appears to be the brilliant Cheryl Isaac-trained Fun Boss (box seven), who scored a typically impressive 27.48 win from box four in last week’s heats.
One of Western Australia’s best greyhounds over the last 18 months, Fun Boss has scored 29 wins and 21 minor placings from 66 starts and is arguably the best greyhound in the race.
Box seven has never been kind to Fun Boss, however, as he has scored one win and three minor placings from six previous starts wearing the black rug.
Kennelmate Jamaica The Fun (box one) was run down by Who’s Driving last week but looks a decent value chance from the rails draw.
Jamaica The Fun is a consistent performer and has won four times and placed four times from nine previous starts with the red rug.
“I actually think Jamaica The Fun holds the key to the race,” Halse said.
“Pepper Fire has plenty of talent but needs to lead early and she’ll have a job getting to the front.
“I wouldn’t rule Pepper Fire out but if Jamaica The Fun jumps cleanly, he could be very tough to stop.”
Monaro Monelli (box two), who is a consistent greyhound but probably better drawn out wide and reserve Cobra Clutch, who gets a run with the scratching of Dawkins Bale, complete the field.
The Mandurah Cup is race six of Friday’s 12-race card.
For Friday Mandurah fields, form and expert picks, click here.
