All eyes will be on Lismore tonight, with the running of the Group 2 Lismore Workers Club Cup at Ladbrokes Park Lismore.
Terra Torra (pictured), who won the Group 3 Casino Cup last month, is in line to win another feature race after drawing box one for the Lismore Cup.
A win for Terra Torra would be another lucrative prize for her battler owner and trainer Ryan Newstead.
Newstead's shift Casino Meatworks begins daily at 5am so his father Billy cares for the greyhounds in the morning with Ryan's wife Amanda and children, nine-year-old Ella and Mariah, aged, seven, assisting each afternoon.
In last Tuesday night's Lismore Cup heats Terra Torra scored led throughout, covering the 520m in 29.71.
Fastest qualifier was the Tony Brett-trained National Sprint Championship winner Jury in 29.56.
Tony Brett, who has trained three Lismore Cup winners, Bogie Leigh, Robo Raptor and Regal Lauryn, also has Opal Nera in the final, but believes Terra Torra is the one to beat.
Opal Nera overcame an unusually slow start in his heat to chase home Terra Torra, beaten one-and-a-half lengths.
“Opal Nera's run was super because in days gone by he would not have got in the picture after bombing the start like that,” Brett said.
“He has turned into a nice race dog and is capable of beginning quickly but box five is a tricky draw. Tooka Turn, who has drawn six, crashes to the left at box rise so could put him out of business straight away.
“Jury got wide in his heat win but is drawn okay in three in the final because he is gradually adapting to the track.
In the first trial I gave him at Lismore, Jury was all over the shop but he handled the track better at his second trial and improved further in his Cup heat, when having his third look at the course. But the way they are drawn, Terra Torra is the greyhound they all have to beat.”
Another heat winner was Snug - trained by Darren Russell - who led all the way in 29.71, matching Terra Torra's time. Russell will also be represented by the brilliant front-runner Go Lassie Go in box two.
“Go Lassie Go didn't come out well when second in Jury's heat but she often leads in her races and has terrific pace,” Russell said.
“There is a chance she will pressure Terra Torra in the run to the first turn and that would help my other runner, Snug. Go Lassie Go struggles to run out a strong 520m so Snug is definitely my better chance.”
Slowest heat winner was Tooka Turn in 29.95 and will jump from box six.
Meanwhile, champion Queensland stayer Cyndie's Magic, has box seven.
Cyndie's Magic was tailed off at the first turn before powering home to finish second in Tooka Turn's heat, going down by just over a length.
“The draw doesn't matter to Cyndie's Magic because she will be last at the first turn in a race like this where there will be a lot of speed up front,” Cyndie’s Magic trainer Bill Elson said.
“The cup distance is really too short for Cyndie's Magic so I am banking on bumping and jostling among the leading division because my greyhound will be flying home at the finish.”
Box draw for the Lismore Cup is: 1. Terra Torra 2. Go Lassie Go 3. Jury 4. Snug 5. Opal Nera 6. Tooka Turn 7. Cyndie's Magic 8. Comaneci. Reserves: 9. Slick 10. Aristotle.
