The Group 3 Ladbrokes Mid North Coast Cup final will be run for the first ever time under lights on Wednesday. Here’s our preview of the feature, including our tip to claim the $25,000 winner’s cheque…
Final Thought: The ink hadn’t even dried in the record books when Spirit Boy smashed She’s A Bumpy’s track record to bits in the heats last week. Her run of 30.24 is still the second fastest ever recorded at the new venue though and it was built off a superb first section of 3.86. Drawing the red only enhances her chances (12 starts for seven wins in Box 1) and with a slow beginner next door in Moon Raider, she could lead to the first bend. Was knocking up late in the heats but that was her first run for a month so if it hasn’t busted her, she is a serious threat.
Moon Raider | Sam Rees
Best Mid North Coast 525m Time: 30.32
Career Record: 21: 4-5-5
Box 2 History: 2: 0-0-0
Ladbrokes Price: $12
Final Thought: Showed good early pace to scoot across them from Box 7 in the heats and was right on the tail of Spirit Boy until the final 50m or so. His time of 30.32 would have broken the old track record (30.34) and although he’s only won the four career races, he’s seen the track more than any other runner in the final aside from Flying Goddess (four starts at Taree). He’s a better chance than his sister drawn in Box 5, he comes out of the hot Robert Smith Memorial Maiden final earlier in the year and Sammy Rees would be a popular local winner.
Moon Raider with connections after a win at The Gardens earlier this year
Spirit Boy | Craig Gardoll
Best Mid North Coast 525m Time: 30.05
Career Record: 27: 14-4-3
Box 3 History: 2: 1-0-0
Ladbrokes Price: $2.80
Final Thought: Record breaking run in the heats and it was a rout for the Gardoll-prepared runner. He nearly became the first dog to break through the 30 second barrier at Taree and if he can begin a bit better than last week, there’s no reason that mark can’t be eclipsed on Wednesday night. He started favourite for the Casino MDC regional final back in September but was luckless on that occasion. He’s boxed well with slow beginners either side, had the best run home time of all finalists last week (11.87) and deserves favouritism.
Final Thought: Another Robert Smith Memorial maiden finalist (the race included Mr. Peregrine and Power And Glory) and has produced some good times at The Gardens of late. Ran a superb 29.29 three starts back and if he can reproduce that, he’s in this up to his ears. Wasn’t electric out of the boxes last week but the pickup speed was great. The win looked great to the eye (six lengths) but the time of 30.34 didn’t exactly back it up. 9-time winner already and a decent chance.
Final Thought: Curyo Dancer is one of the outsiders in the field and deservedly so with only four wins from 44 career starts. Is often there or thereabouts though, bringing home a cheque in 59% of her outings. Has a PB three lengths quicker than her 30.76 heat time last week and she is one of the stronger chasers in the field, but she will need a lot to ger way if she’s to take this out.
Ali Tango | Joe Mcfadyen
Best Mid North Coast 525m Time: 30.64
Career Record: 36: 16-1-6
Box 6 History: 7: 2-1-3
Ladbrokes Price: $4.40
Final Thought: The biggest query in the race and holds the keys to a few dogs fortunes. Absolutely bottled the start in the heats, yet still punched his way through the field for a tough win, albeit in slow time. Six weeks ago, he came ran 4.91 to the first mark at The Gardens in ‘The Macca’ and ripped off a 29.13 win. A week later, he produced a 5.44 first section at Wenty Park to win in 29.52. His two runs since haven’t been as impressive but his best is better than these. Box 6 at first glance never looks great but there are some suspect beginners drawn inside and he might get the room to move he needs to explode early on. Ran 30.04 in a trial before the heats and is a big danger to the favourite.
Final Thought: Was a big price in the heats and will be the roughie in the final as well. She nearly pinched the preliminary last week from Ali Tango after he muffed the start and she built her race on a scorching first section. She flew out in 3.91 although she’s averaged 3.96 to the first mark at Taree in her five runs so far. She is poorly drawn now in Box 7, and if Ali Tango gets out better, this girl can’t win. Has tasted victory at the new Taree track before but only has the two wins since April 25 to her name.
Screeching | Joe Mcfadyen
Best Mid North Coast 525m Time: 30.34
Career Record: 25: 9-4-4
Box 8 History: 3: 2-0-0
Ladbrokes Price: $8
Final Thought: The second of the Mcfadyen runners is boxed OK out wide and it wouldn’t surprise if he ran a good race. Not super out normally and with a short run to the first mark, missing it and falling in to the fence might not be a bad move for this bloke if he can find a way down there. Two wins from three starts in pink and his heat run of 30.34 was passable behind She’s A Bumpy. Came into the heats with back-to-back wins at Wenty (29.86) and The Gardens (29.50) and has had a few runs over 600m in the past few months. Don’t think he can win but best roughie in the race.
Screeching has won three of his last five starts for connections
Tips
3. Spirit Boy
6. Ali Tango
8. Screeching
1. She’s A Bumpy
Previous winners (when formerly the Taree Cup) :
2023 Reel ‘Em Bluey | John Thomas
2022 Winlock On Top | Michael Edwards
2021 Tatum | Patrick Parrelli
The Group 3 Ladbrokes Mid North Coast Cup final is worth $25,000 to the winner and will go off in Race 8 on Wednesday night’s card.
