AUSTRALIA’S biggest greyhound stars have booked their places in Saturday night’s Group 1 Brisbane Cup Final after a spectacular night of qualifying at Q2 Parklands.
With $1 million in prizemoney on offer, including a staggering $650,000 winner’s cheque for the winner, the four 520m heats showcased the very best chasers in the country.
Yet once again, one dog stole the show, with Cumbria Jack reminding the racing world exactly why he is regarded as one of Australia’s elite greyhounds.
Fresh from his near eight-length demolition in the Origin Greyhound Series Match Race, the $1.50 favourite appeared to be in all sorts of trouble when the lids opened.
Instead of spearing to the front, Cumbria Jack found himself at the tail of the field as Canya Romance led the charge into the first bend.
For almost every other greyhound, the race would have been over, but not for Cumbria Jack.
“After the first 10 metres, I wasn’t so sure,” trainer Tony Brett admitted.
The son of Fernando Bale and Cumbria Ninno exploded into action, launching around the outside of the pack with devastating acceleration before sweeping into third approaching the first turn. As soon as he angled back to the rail, the result looked inevitable.
Like a greyhound chasing a second lure, Cumbria Jack devoured the leaders with effortless speed before powering clear to record another strong victory.
“The superstar is just doing superstar things again,” Brett said.
“He’s just so pretty with the way he goes about his racing.
“I haven’t seen many dogs that know where they need to be like he does. “That’s what sets him apart from everyone else.”
The victory lifted Cumbria Jack’s record to 17 career wins and more than $518,000 in prizemoney, alongside two Group 1 victories, a Group 2 title, a Group 3 success and the standing 520m track record at Purga.
Back Tomorrow ($5.50) claimed the second heat, reigning Group 1 Flying Amy Classic winner Consigliere ($3.40) continued his outstanding form in the third, while Group 1 Golden Easter Egg winner Off The Chart completed the quartet of heat winners.
Brett heads into Saturday night’s final with a powerful hand, qualifying three runners – Cumbria Jack (Box 3), Consigliere (Box 4) and Secret Bandit (Box 5).
“The only little worry is Secret Bandit because she does want to head to the rail. He’s (Jack) just got to handle that.”
