INTERSTATE superstar Cumbria Jack announced himself as the greyhound to beat for tonight’s $225,000 Group 1 Ipswich Cup Final after producing a devastating performance in the heats at Q1 Lakeside last Thursday.
The Tony Brett-trained star delivered one of the standout runs of the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, exploding to an eight-length win in heat two over 457m.
Sent out the $1.65 favourite, Cumbria Jack swept around the outside moments after box rise before quickly putting the race beyond doubt.
Zipping Lee and Malawi Rebel gave chase early, but by the home turn he slammed the gate close as the Fernando Bale x Cumbria Ninno superstar surged clear in breathtaking fashion.
The emphatic victory further enhanced an already glittering career record that now stands at 23 wins and seven placings from just 33 starts, with more than $350,000 in prizemoney banked.
Cumbria Jack arrived in Queensland carrying enormous expectations following victories in the Group 3 Ambrosoli at Wentworth Park last month, the Group 2 Richmond Derby Final earlier this year and last year’s Group 1 National Sprint Championship at The Q.
Trainer Brett said the frightening part was the elite sprinter was still building fitness after a six-week break.
“Just to get that first run back into him and do it without any dramas, I couldn’t be happier. He’s just a superstar,” he said.
“To think he hadn’t raced for six weeks and then to handle a field like that and put good dogs away, that excites me for the weeks ahead.
“As soon as he got to the outside of another dog, he straightened up and away he went. Good dogs just do that.”
Cumbria Jack has drawn box five for tonight’s final,but Brett believes the race shape may suit his star chaser perfectly.
Ipswich Cup Box Draw
- Winsome Rambo
- Zipping Urban
- My Boy Bingo
- Malawi Rebel
- Cumbria Jack
- Gold Force
- Cumbria Chrissy
- Cumbria Benny
Reserves
9 Validate
10 Penny Calido
