The Group 2 Ladbrokes Brother Fox final is on this Saturday night. Here’s our preview of the final, including our tip to claim the $50,000 winner’s cheque:
Warlord Nev | Nevyl Hand
Career Record: 28: 13-6-5
Best Dubbo 516m Time: 29.96
Track & Distance Record: 1: 0-1-0
Box 1 History: 3: 3-0-0
Ladbrokes Price: $9
Final Thought: Almost got turned sideways at the first turn in the heats but regained his footing quickly and hit the front as they turned for home in the heats. Tired over the last 30m though and got run down by Both Bowers Ace. His second placing in a time of 29.96 got him through to his debut feature final though and he is unbeaten from three starts in Box 1. Should nail himself to the fence throughout but will need to find a few lengths to knock off some speedy opposition.
Zipping Kristoff | Jason Magri
Career Record: 20: 11-3-1
Best Dubbo 516m Time: 29.51
Track & Distance Record: 1: 0-1-0
Box 2 History: 2: 1-0-1
Ladbrokes Price: $4.80
Final Thought: Was very good in the heats from a similar inside draw and he showed good pickup speed to punch up underneath them and hold the fence. Him and established Group-level performer Gets Late Early engaged in a ding dong battle for the duration of the 516m contest, with Zipping Kristoff eventually going under by 0.25 of a length. The time of 29.51 was strong and considering it was his first look at the track and only his 20th career start, he could improve further despite drifting since markets opened.
Speedy Pie | Jason Magri
Career Record: 46: 19-11-6
Best Dubbo 516m Time: 29.72
Track & Distance Record: 1: 0-1-0
Box 3 History: 7: 2-0-2
Ladbrokes Price: $10
Final Thought: Has been in several feature finals in the last six months with appearances in the Gosford Cup, Temora Cup (runner-up) and Richmond Oaks deciders. She can be it and miss at box rise and with so much speed inside and out, she will need to go quicker than the 4.52 first section she produced in the heats. Showed real tenacity to punch through a small gap as they entered the fist bend last weekend, and never shirked the task as she tried to bride the gap on one of the state’s best bitches in Sooty Keeping. The eventual margin was 2.25 lengths but she can improve with a better draw and better get away.
Speedy Pie all smiles ahead of the Ladbrokes Brother Fox final
Both Bowers Ace | Minnie Finn
Career Record: 92: 22-33-18
Best Dubbo 516m Time: 29.89
Track & Distance Record: 2: 1-0-0
Box 4 History: 8: 3-2-3
Ladbrokes Price: $18
Final Thought: Saluted in the heats in 29.89 for win number 22 and he’s been a super consistent chaser with 73 cheques in 92 race starts to go with more than $190,000 in earnings. Has some speed drawn outside and if he doesn’t get chopped out by Out Of Style early, he could end up in a nice spot in behind the pace. Normally finds one better but at the odds, you have to have something on him to run a place, especially now he’s the outside of the field.
Final Thought: Has been the main mover in betting since markets went up and has firmed from $23 into $16. Great winning return in the heats after nearly six months off the track and will need to spring out once again if she’s to feature. She was G1 placed in the Peter Mosman last year and if you look at the first sections she’s reeled off at The Gardens since (4.91, 4.92, 4.95) she has to be a chance to lead them early. The kennel said during the week she pulled up great from the preliminary win and although the box could be tricky, she has a wide runner directly outside who could give her some cover.
Final Thought: Gets Late Early wants to use a bit of the track and Minnie Finn has always said she wants wide draws with this former G1 winner. She’s a sister to Both Bowers Ace and has been the pick of the litter so far with more than $313,000 to her name. She’s been a constant force in feature finals over the past year 18 months and her heat win was gustsy and tough. Has had a few goes around Dubbo as well with her recent Country Classic stint over the middle distance meaning she will be strong to the line.
Final Thought: Steady stream of money during the week for a dog who looks like a feature race triumph isn’t far away. He ran second in the Nowra Puppy Classic two weeks ago but importantly, he’s drawn to the advantage of his number one rival and the dog who beat him in that race (Sooty Keeping). Black Myth Wave was electric early in the heats and his time of 29.66 was a great debut performance at Dubbo. Has only lost once in his last five starts and has claimed eight of his last 11 to be in stellar form for this final. Wide draw won’t be an issue if he can repeat his 4.39 run to the first mark.
Final Thought: Boy have the punters dived into Sooty Keeping. The reigning Richmond Oaks and Nowra Puppy Classic winner opened at $4.40 and is now $2.70 with Ladbrokes, partly because she absolutely loves the Dubbo 516m. Seven runs at track and trip have resulted in six wins and a minor and she was the second fastest qualifier last week in the heats. Deserves to start favourite on her home track and considering she’s unbeaten in her last four efforts, but Box 8 is always a big query in a big race. Cannot afford to miss it and we know she can be temperamental at box rise.
