NSW superstar Falcon’s Fury looks ready to salute yet again at today’s terrific Maitland meeting.
The recent winner of the Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup and Bathurst Gold Cup jumps from box three in today’s race eight (450m) aiming to improve his dazzling record of 14 wins and four minor placings from 20 starts.
This is a first look at the Hunter Valley track for Falcon’s Fury (pictured) as he gears up for a potential crack at next week’s heats of the $40,000-to-the-winner Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup, one of the biggest series of the year in NSW.
He is in terrific form with win in his last four starts but he is proving a livewire act to handle for NSW Central West owner-trainer Paul Braddon.
“He used to start howling and barking before we’d got two kilometres down the road from our place,” Paul’s wife Pamela said. “It was incredible.
“He’s a bit better now and is helped by having another greyhound in with him, as well have this Thursday.
“He also gets a bit impatient in the boxes, so being one of the first (loaded) in here won’t help him either.
“He certainly keeps us on our toes but we’ll let him right himself.
“We love all our greyhounds but it makes it a little easier when you have one as good as him.”
Falcon’s Fury has only jumped once previously from box three – an unsuccessful effort at Wentworth Park in January – but has pinged the lids in his last couple of outings.
The son of Fabregas and Janderra’s Fury faces a tricky field here including star WA performer Krugerrand (box six), who is also being primed for the Maitland Gold Cup heats, but looks capable of making it a long but successful trip for the Braddons.
“Falcon’s Fury used to put his feet at the back of the boxes, but at Bulli he went straight forward and came out brilliantly,” Pamela Braddon said. “Hopefully he will do so again.
“We haven’t been done any favours being in race eight – we won’t be home until 1am – but hopefully the track will suit him.
“If he goes well here then we’ll think about bringing him back to Maitland for the Gold Cup.”
In other Maitland Thursday action, hot newcomer Zipping Inglis (box five) has another run in preparation for the Gold Cup in race four over the 450m.
The Daniel Flanagan-trained greyhound has won four of his five starts so far, including a sizzling 29.79 run over this trip last week.
Unbeaten Wonelova Gunn (box three) aims to make it six wins from six starts with a victory in race six over the 400m.
She faces probably here toughest test so far here but clocked a smart 22.24 over this trip on her last start and won from this box at the Gardens two starts back.
Pedro Cerrano (box one) is having his first look at Maitland but looks capable of saluting in race seven (400m).
The John Little-trained greyhound placed in the recent Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup and has scored four wins and three minor placings from box one so looks ideally drawn this race.
For Maitland Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
