John Little rates Black Hole Sun as the best of his three chances as the Group 2 Ladbrokes Cyril Rowe Bulli Gold Cup heats over 472m kick off on Saturday night.
Black Hole Sun jumps from box eight in the fourth of five heats of the feature series aiming to continue his super record at the NSW South Coast track and reach another Group final for Little.
The greyhound reached the final of the recent Group 1 National Derby and Group 2 Gosford Cup and Little believes his greyhound can reach another feature race decider again.
“I like his chances,” Little said.
“He’s ideally suited drawn outside where he should get clear room and he knows the track inside out.
“People say he’s lost his early pace, but he’s been racing against top-quality greyhounds. He’s still capable of running good times, no doubt. He’s on-song and there’ll be no excuses if he doesn’t make it.”
Black Hole Sun’s toughest opponents look like Totolo (box one) from the gun Jason Mackay kennel, and consistent Nangar Rock in box seven.
Little also has Pedro Cerrano jumping from box five in the first heat but this looks an incredibly tough assignment for the greyhound.
The high-calibre field in the first heat includes last year’s Group 2 Dapto Puppy Auction Classic winner Topper Teretto (box four), who warmed up for the series with a win over the 400m at Bulli last week.
Tasmanian talent El Grand Amigo (box one), last year’s Goulburn Cup winner Clock’s Ticking (box three) and track record holder El Magnifico (box eight) are also in contention.
Little’s third greyhound, Cosmic Tumble will jump from box three in the third heat.
“Pedro Cerrano has an incredibly tough heat but he’s capable of leading them into the turn,” Little said.
“If he can do that then he’ll have a chance. He struggles at the finish but he’s in the best condition he’s been in for a while. I wouldn’t rule him out.
“Cosmic Tumble has come back from a break in decent form and on his day he’s as good a beginner as Black Hole Sun. Again, he’s in a quality race but I wouldn’t rule him out.
“They’re all going okay but I’d say Black Hole Sun is the best chance of the three.”
NSW star greyhound Ritza Lenny (box two, pictured) has been racing superbly since resuming from injury and looks the best bet in heat two.
Last year’s Group 2 Bob Payne Spring Sprint winner returned from almost two months out with a super win at Maitland over the 450m before saluting at Bulli over the 472m last week.
Recent Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup winner Barking Bad (box two) has won three of his last five starts at Bulli and looks capable of saluting in the third heat.
With two wins and seven minor placings in his last 10 starts, Barking Bad is one of the most consistent greyhounds around and his trainer Michael Eberand is currently enjoying a notable run of successes.
Star NSW newcomer Falcon’s Fury (box one) scored a terrific victory in last Monday’s Bathurst Gold Cup and looks the best bet in heat five.
The Paul Braddon-trained greyhound can be a touch risky at box rise but has dazzling speed and has won two from two jumping from box one.
Others to watch in the series include Bear’s Gold (box eight, heat three), who has built a terrific record over the short courses in Victoria and Kong (box seven, heat five), who ran strongly at Bulli last week.
La Grand Logie (box two, heat two) is also in contention of qualifying for the final, having hit form again after a long spell on the sidelines.
The five heat winners and three fastest runners-up progress to next Saturday’s final.
For Bulli Saturday fields, form and expert pick, click here.
