Brilliant Victorian Pantera Nera looks a strong chance to progress in his quest for a rare double in tonight’s Group 2 A Total Car Rentals Launceston Cup (515m) semi-finals.
The three-time Group winner, who has built the super record of 26 wins and 16 minor placings from 51 starts, jumps from box six in the second of four semi-finals (race six) aiming to book a spot in the $40,000-to-the-winner decider.
A winner of the recent Group 3 Devonport Cup, Pantera Nera was a dazzling 29.86 winner over a strong field in last week’s heats.
He has won four of his seven previous starts wearing the green rug and with four wins in his last five starts looks in top form for this race.
A win would also take Pantera Nera within a race of becoming only the fourth greyhound in history to win the Devonport Cup-Launceston Cup double.
The only concern could be Pantera Nera’s heavy recent schedule catching up on him but he looks he clear top pick in this race.
Handy local Chief Jetpilot (box two) was a sound winner last week and looks the top pick in the first heat.
One of the stars of gun Tasmanian trainer Ted Medhurst, Chief Jetpilot won his heat in 30.39 and has triumphed on four of his last six starts.
The draw may give him the edge on Fifteen Two (box three), last week’s fastest heat qualifier in 29.78.
In-form Victorian Nangar Range (box eight) finished second in his heat last week but looks a strong chance to improve in the third heat.
The Greg Schofield-trained speedster has won three times and placed three times in his last six starts and has been running some smart times in Victoria.
Box eight is a concern but his storming win over the 515m at Sandown Park on December 29, where he overcame a quality field including champion Buck Forty, underlined his quality.
Fellow Victorian Wynburn Toozie (box four) was a dazzling 29.96 winner in last week’s heats and looks the best bet in the fourth heat.
The classy Ben Englund-trained greyhound has won two of three starts in Tasmania over the last month and is strong from the middle boxes.
The four heat winners and runners-up progress to next Monday’s decider.
For Launceston Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
