Yuup can provide Steve and Krystal Shinners with the perfect birthday and anniversary present with victory in tonight’s $15,000-to-the-winner feature race Westcha$e Final (race six, 520m).
The greyhound will jump from box one in the high-quality decider following a second place finish in his heat last week, and the Shinners believe he is a strong winning chance tonight.
“He’s had a horror run of box draws so we were delighted when he got box one,” Steve Shinners said.
“It’s a huge boost against this field, although having said that he’s not the most reliable beginner.
“Yuup can run 5.45 to the first mark and that may be enough to hold the rest out and give him the lead he needs. It’s whether he can step out.
“Equanimity in box three is a class greyhound and looks the biggest threat, but if Yuup can hold them out and get on the bunny, he’s got a big chance.”
It will be a special night for Shinners and his wife Krystal, who celebrates a birthday on Thursday.
“Krystal is originally from America,” Shinners said.
“We met three years ago on her birthday while I was holidaying in Bali and she was backpacking there.
“She knew nothing about greyhounds before we met, but she’s fallen in love with them now.
“Yuup is from the first litter she has looked after so he means a lot to her.
“We said when he started that he could win a few races, but he’s matured into a really good racing greyhound.”
Yuup is up against a quality field in the Westcha$e Final, which also includes Perth Cup winner Equanimity in box three.
Pyredos Monelli (box six), from the premier David Hobby kennel, is also a strong chance having finished a length ahead of Yuup in last week’s heats.
West On Beth (box two), Infrared Moment (box four), West On Hawkeye (box five), Capital Zed (box seven) and He’s Historic (box eight) complete the strong field.
In other Cannington action, Teddy Monelli (box four) can make a winning return to his home state in the Book For Christmas In July Stakes (race five, 715m).
The David Hobby-trained top stayer has run well in the Eastern states recently, including winning a heat of the Group 1 Sandown Cup on May 18 over the 715m.
Kennelmate Petunia Monelli (box four) scored a good 34.91 win on her first look at the 600m last week and looks the top pick in the Brittons Formal Wear Stakes (race seven, 600m).
For Cannington fields, form and expert picks, click here.
