Cosmic Bonus has overcome concerns over his fitness, with the Evelyn Harris-trained greyhound a strong chance of landing the Group 1 Garrard’s Winter Cup (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night.
Cosmic Bonus (pictured, image courtesy Lisa Vanderstok) qualified for Thursday night’s decider with an impressive 29.99 heat win last week and has been rated a $3.80 chance to take out the Group 1 after drawing box one for the feature event.
Last week’s triumph was extra-impressive considering Cosmic Bonus’s preparations for the big race had been hampered by a foot injury.
“(We) couldn’t give him work for a fortnight (before last week),” Len Harris, Evelyn’s husband, said.
“When the box three dog came up on his shoulder (near the end) I thought, ‘oh no’, but he kicked on superbly. For a greyhound who hadn’t had much work recently, it was a strong run.
“We’ve always thought he could run the 600 metres eventually and that proved it. We’ve had him out this week and he was racing round our yard like a pup. He’s looking marvellous and ready to go.”
The Harrises have reached plenty of big races before, but their greyhounds have never landed the prized box one draw in the features until tonight.
“We’ve been in 10 or 12 Group 1 finals and I think it’s the first time we’ve drawn inside (box four) for a big final,” Len Harris said.
“It makes the task a little easier – on paper anyway. Funnily enough, he doesn’t seem to come out as well at Albion Park as he does (elsewhere), but I think this draw will help.
Victory would also be a belated Golden Wedding anniversary present for the Harrises, who celebrated 50 years of marriage earlier this year.
“I already took care of Evelyn’s presents,” Len said with a grin. “You know what women in the bush are like – they don’t wait around for things like that.
“When you’ve been training as long as I have, you don’t get too worked up for these big races, but I’ll certainly be cheering if Cosmic Bonus wins.
“It’s a very tough race but I think he’s got a chance.”
Cosmic Bonus will come up against a terrific field of sprinters which includes Ando’s Mac, who jumps from box eight and is currently $3.40 favourite with Sportsbet.
One of two chances for premier Victorian mentor Anthony Azzopardi, Ando’s Mac clocked 29.84 at his first look at Albion Park last week and has scored three wins in six starts wearing the pink rug.
Kennelmate Nangar Rock ($4.80) was the fastest of last week’s qualifiers in 29.73 and has won his last three starts, but will have to contend with the tricky box five draw.
Local greyhound Fast Times (box four, $3.90) scored a 29.76 heat victory and looks perhaps best served by this draw.
In-form local Bubble Guppy, (box seven) a winner of his last three starts, clocked 29.92 winning his heat last week and looks a decent each way chance at $15 with Sportsbet.
Outside Pass (box two, $7), Tahlia’s Way (box three, $61) and Shoes To Fill (box six, $26) complete the field.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
