Geoff Scott-Smith believes Dundee Calypso is a strong chance of defeating Fanta Bale in Thursday night’s Group 1 Ubet Gold Cup (710m) at Albion Park.
Dundee Calypso ($4.80 with Sportsbet) jumps from box one in the $75,000-to-the-winner decider aiming for her second Group title in five weeks.
Last month’s Group 3 Lizrene winner and recent Group 1 Sandown Cup finalist won her heat last week in 42.02 at what was her first look at Albion Park.
The favourable draw has given Scott-Smith confidence that his greyhound can defeat a star-studded field on Thursday night.
“It’s fantastic - she’s drawn perfectly,” he said. “You’d have to give her a chance from that draw.
“I think she got a check round the top corner last week which cost her a bit of time. I think all the pace in the final is on the outside, which hopefully will let her get a clear run.
“Fanta Bale is just getting better and better and she’ll be hard to beat (but) I think box one has given mine a chance.”
Scott-Smith believes Dundee Calypso should improve on her heat win.
“I drove up (from Victoria) for last week’s race which couldn’t have been great (for her),” Scott-Smith said.
“I’ve stayed up here this week which should help her a lot. She’s always shown ability and been a hard chaser. Now she’s matured she’s become a real talent.
“She’ll need a bit of outside help and she needs to pinch a break, but she can win.”
Despite Scott-Smith’s confidence, Fanta Bale is a red hot $1.65 favourite with Sportsbet after scoring her 24th victory in 38 starts with a brilliant 41.66 run in last week’s heats.
The Robbie Britton-trained greyhound, a winner of more than $720,000 prize money earnings so far, recently became the first greyhound to win Group 1 titles over the 500m, 600m and 700m distances.
This would be a fifth Group 1 victory for the daughter of David Bale and Ucme Typhoon.
Aside from Dundee Calypso, evergreen local hope Cyndie’s Magic (box three, $7) looks the biggest danger to Fanta Bale.
A winner of more than $300,000 prize money earnings, Cyndie’s Magic is in superb form, having won three of her last five starts.
She finished second behind Dundee Calypso in the heats but is capable of improving on that run and could produce her trademark late surge to win.
The Gold Cup is race eight on the card at Albion Park and jumps at 9.10pm (AEST).
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
