Box five should not hinder fastest qualifier Bear’s Gold’s chances of success in Saturday night’s mouth-watering Group 2 Ladbrokes Cyril Rowe Bulli Gold Cup (472m), according to trainer Keith Hellmuth.
The Victorian, who extended his terrific record to 21 wins and six minor placings from 34 starts with his storming come-from-behind win in last week’s heats, jumps from the squeeze box in the $40,000-to-the-winner final.
Bear’s Gold was slowly out of the boxes last week but produced a super late surge to power home by two-and-a-half lengths in a smart 26.21.
Hellmuth is philosophical about the box draw for the son of Cape Hawke and Rustic Reeta, who has one win from three previous starts wearing the yellow rug.
“My wife Lisa picked it herself (in the draw) so we can’t complain,” Hellmuth said. “It’s not great but he never usually misses the start anywhere and is usually so reliable wherever he races.
“He tries his heart out with every race - you can take him anywhere and know he will have a go.”
Last Saturday’s race was the first time Bear’s Gold had travelled out of his home state or run further than the 450m, with most of his victories coming over the short courses in his home state.
It was also the first time hobby trainer and former plasterer Hellmuth and his wife had been to Bulli – but the victory made their 10-hour drive worthwhile.
“We barely knew anything about the other greyhounds in the race or the track, other than the long straight,” Hellmuth said.
“We knew that a lot of the good dogs in Victoria were going in the Australian Cup heats this weekend so we thought we’d sneak up there and have a crack.
“He usually pings the lids , gets a break and hangs on but last week he did the opposite. It shows you never know what will happen in greyhound racing.
“It’s a long journey back home - it’ll be a lot nicer with a cup in the back seat.”
The final, one of the biggest races of the year in NSW, looks a highly competitive affair with most of the field having decent claims.
Last week’s Bathurst Gold Cup winner Falcon’s Fury looks well drawn in box two and was a sound 26.28 winner last week, while track specialist El Magnifico looks a danger from box three.
Recent Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup winner Barking Bad finished strongly behind Bear’s Gold in the heats and looks the best value chance from box eight.
Pedro Cerrano (box one), Winsome Mission (box four) Black Hole Sun (box six) and Nangar Rock (box seven) complete the field.
The Group 2 Ladbrokes Cyril Rowe Bulli Gold Cup is race seven of a terrific night's card at the NSW South Coast track.
Racing is under way at 7.05pm.
For Bulli Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
