Despite its brief four-year history, there is already a clear recipe for success in the Ladbrokes 715.
Early pace.
Of the four names on the honour roll, Miss Ezmae, Valpolicella and Autumn Storm led all the way on the tight turning Gardens circuit to claim the richest staying series in the country.
The other champion, Zipping Orlando, came from a prominent forward position to nail longtime leader Nangar Rocket in the shadows of the post and claim the most memorable series win.
So when Urbanity lines up in Saturday night’s Group 3 Newcastle Cup final, the chasing world could get a perfect preview of why the bold, front-running West Australian product has the ideal race style to claim back-to-back staying features in the Hunter.
“The Gardens is a leaders track so if she can find the front this week or in the 715, she’ll give them something to run down,” caretake trainer Minnie Finn said.
“She’s already had a look at the track. I trialled her on Tuesday from near the 300m boxes and she flew around. I’ve just copied the same program we gave Zipping Orlando and all the others we’ve had in the series over the years.”
“She can definitely lead from Box 5 but Zipping Mooney [Box 8] might be the other one pushing forward. If either of them don’t lead, they’re in a world of bother.”
Finn encouraged by both greyhounds Association Cup campaigns that saw roughie Zipping Mooney finish second and Urbanity fourth in the final behind Magpie Hector.
The pair now heading to a more favourable setup in Newcastle, with Finn’s kennel swap with Paul Stuart well and truly in the spotlight this week.
“Paul has Winsome Jet right now as he prepares for the Sandgroper on Thursday night,” Finn said.
“He’s a great chance if he come out and he’s certainly got the box to win it. Paul and I trust each other obviously…I’ve got Urbanity now but I also had Bezzecchi over here for the Million Dollar Chase a few years ago.”
