The Group 2 Sires On Ice Black Top final is slated for Friday night at Ladbrokes Gardens, here’s a few thoughts on each greyhound in the $40,000 feature:
Starburst Milly | Stu Barron
Track & Distance | 2: 0-1-0
Fastest 515m at The Gardens | 29.44
Box 1 Record | 4: 3-0-0
Ladbrokes Price: $31
Final Thought: She needs a miracle to win and no greyhound has claimed the race at double figure odds in the last decade. She was the slowest qualifier for the race but her first section time (4.93) would have her at the pointy end of proceedings early. She’ll be copping extreme pressure from rails demon Good Odds Cobber and there are several other speedy commodities early that will likely cross her. Lightly raced type with just the 19 starts so should improve from the heats but this is a red-hot field.
Starburst Milly is all smiles after qualifying for the Group 2 Black Top final for Stu and Debbie Barron
Good Odds Cobber | Frank Hurst
Track & Distance | 1: 1-0-0
Fastest 515m at The Gardens | 29.24
Box 2 Record | 3: 1-1-0
Ladbrokes Price: $3.40
Final Thought: Classiest dog in the race, most in form dog in the race, arguably the hardest chaser in the race…ticks a lot of boxes. Group 1, G2, and G3 winner already this year alone and finally gets a great draw in a big race. Improved a length over the first section from his Megastar heat to the final and think he will only go quicker than the 5.00 effort he dished up last week in his first race at The Gardens. Don’t think he can lead but if he gets straight onto the back of likely leader Sunset Frazier, he’s the far stronger animal. Nad Al Sheba leading him through the catching pen is the biggest danger.
Ladbrokes Price: $18 Final Thought: Barry Gibbons said he thought Boston Banner was just making up the numbers after his heat win but he’s a good honest dog who rarely runs a bad race. He’s a 13-time winner who has only had the two runs back since spending six weeks away from the track, so he should be fitter come Friday. The full brother to Tulsi Banner was a Group 1 Vic Peters Classic finalist back in July but lacks the early dash to really mix it with this final field. Will be strong late and could be a place chance.
Nad Al Sheba | Peter Lagogiane Track & Distance | 1: 1-0-0
Fastest 515m at The Gardens | 28.97
Box 4 Record | 4: 2-1-0
Ladbrokes Price: $2.80 Final Thought: One of only two members of the sub-29 second club at The Gardens alongside current track record holder French Martini. This dog is airborne at the moment with five straight wins including a MDC regional final triumph over Rinsed The Lot. Built the heat win off a flying first section of 4.86 and a second section split of 16.93, before flying home to go 28.97. Will be copping serious pressure from his outside in the run to the first turn and may even leave a big hole underneath for Good Odds Cobber to punch through as well. Race favourite and deservedly so.
I’m A Mustang | David Smith Track & Distance | 1: 0-1-0
Fastest 515m at The Gardens | 29.27
Box 5 Record | N/A
Ladbrokes Price: $7.50 Final Thought: Intriguing Victorian runner who trialled at the track before the heats in 29.44 and then went a few lengths quicker under race conditions second time around (29.27). Box 5 is truly a visitors draw considering there is blinding pace in Box 4, 7 and 8 and I’m A Mustang is likely to be the meat in the sandwich between Nad Al Sheba and Sunset Frazier in the run to the first bend. Will improve with another look at the track under her belt and the Dave Smith/Matt Lanigan partnership did have success early this year with Canya Amy.
Gets Late Early | Minnie Finn
Track & Distance | 1: 1-0-0
Fastest 515m at The Gardens | 29.44
Box 6 Record | 5: 2-0-0
Ladbrokes Price: $20 Final Thought:Not being talked about much due to the box draw but is already a Group 1 winner and earned close to $200,000 in 56 starts. Should get crossed by Sunset Frazier and You Never Lose early and that could be her best chance of winning. She tends to move up the track a bit and Minnie Finn has repeatedly said she wants an outside draw with this girl. Honest as the day is long and is rock hard fit after running fourth in the Megastar final, winning her Black Top heat and then producing a 29.30 effort at Gosford in the MDC series on Tuesday. Great price for a place.
Minnie Finn with Gets Late Early who is a member of the successful Flying Ricciardo x Poco Dorado litter who have won 104 races for connections
Sunset Frazier | Michelle Sultana
Track & Distance | 1: 1-0-0
Fastest 515m at The Gardens | 29.12
Box 7 Record | 1: 0-1-0
Ladbrokes Price: $4 Final Thought:
Fair NSW debut for a dog who is arguably the fastest through two sections in the country. Went 4.88 to the first mark and then ran 16.80 up the back to blow the heat field away. The query from owner Clinton Hobby was always the back end of races and that’s been seen a few times across his 27-start career, but it might not matter if he’s put a space on them between lid rise and the 600m boxes. Reliable beginner who puts himself in so many races, and will go around on a track that favours leaders. Will need to cross them early to win though so if he’s not in front at the first bend, it’s all over.
Ladbrokes Price: $6 Final Thought: Lightly-raced prospect who has only missed a cheque twice in 19 starts. Box 8 in big races is never ideal but You Never Lose could get a perfect drag into the race on the back of the speedy Sunset Frazier. His opening section of 4.86 a week ago was fantastic and considering that was his first run for six weeks, he could take great improvement from the 29.18 effort. Owners like a bet and backed the dog in the heats so watch the market to see where the support goes in the final.
