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Star locals Thirty Talks and Fabulous Bill looks ideally positioned to claim two of Thursday’s five Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup (520m) heats at Albion Park.
Hot Queenslander Zabdon Ferrari, recent Group 2 Lismore Cup winner Tripum and fellow Group 1 TAB Melbourne Cup finalist Outside Pass also look the ones to watch in the heats of the $75,000-to-winner series.
Thirty Talks (pictured) will jump from box one in the first heat after claiming a brilliant victory in Saturday night’s Group 3 Ipswich Gold Cup.
The star of gun Queensland mentor Tony Brett, Thirty Talks has now claimed 19 wins and two minor placings from 31 starts and has a sizzling best of 29.66 at Albion Park.
Zabdon Ferrari (box two, heat two) is another star for Tony Brett and finished runner-up behind kennelmate Thirty Talks in the Ipswich decider.
He has scored 13 wins and 13 minor placings from 30 starts and won from the same box at Albion Park last month in a dazzling 29.88.
Fabulous Bill (box one, heat three) faces a tough field including star Victorian Blazin’ Bomber (box seven) but has a phenomenal record wearing the red rug.
The Bill Elson-trained greyhound has won five times and placed twice in seven previous starts jumping from box one and ran a strong 29.81 from the same draw at Albion Park in September.
Tripum jumps from box five in the fourth heat looking a strong chance to reach another major final.
The Darren Russell-trained greyhound has enjoyed a super year, winning the $40,000-to-the-winner Lismore Cup and a recent Melbourne Cup Prelude and heat.
He was won three of his four previous starts from box four and is in great form, having scored three triumphs in his last four starts.
Outside Pass (box three) has been a star in 2016 for trainer Tony Apap and looks the best bet in heat five.
A winner of a recent Melbourne Cup Prelude, Outside Pass has scored 15 wins and eight minor placings from 36 starts.
She has recorded some devastating performances at Albion Park, including a 29.61 victory at Albion Park, and with one win and three minor placings in five starts from box three does not appear too badly drawn.
Best outside chance for the series could be last year’s Flying Amy Classic winner Elusive Desire (box four, heat five), who is in solid form and has a decent record for making big finals at Albion Park.
Other tempting roughies include hot newcomer Jury (box two, heat three) and in-form Tahlia’s Way (box three, heat two).
The five heat winners and three fastest runners-up progress to next Friday night’s decider.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
