The stage is set for a blockbuster night of greyhound racing this Thursday at Q2 Parklands, as the heats of the prestigious Group 1 Brisbane Cup and Queensland Cup roar into action.
With a combined prize pool exceeding $1 million, the best chasers from across the country will descend on the Purga circuit, each vying for a coveted spot in next week’s finals.
The Brisbane Cup, run over 520m, showcases the elite sprinters in the sport, with up to eight heats scheduled to determine the final field.
Reigning champion Flying Zulu returns to defend his crown, while emerging stars like Excavation and Blue Blend are poised to challenge for supremacy.
Meanwhile, the Queensland Cup over the grueling 710m will test the stamina and heart of the nation’s top stayers such as Raider’s Guide, Ethanol Water and Red Dirt Road.
With the track in peak condition and the atmosphere electric, Thursday night at Q2 Parklands is set to deliver a feast of high-octane chasing and I’ve got the good oil for you!
Red Dirt Road (4) is one of Queensland’s best stayers and he proved that two starts ago when producing a powerful finish to win in the Greyhound Origin Series Distance race in 41.59 seconds.
The Tim Britton-trained dog unfortunately had his unbeaten record over this course and distance broken last start when he was posted deep in the Chairman’s Cup Final but still fought bravely to finish second.
Six starts ago, he etched his name into the record books by smashing the Q2 Parklands track record with a dominant six-length victory in a scorching 41.03 seconds.
He has the speed to cross the dogs drawn to his inside which should make him hard to run down.
1 Unit – Red Dirt Road (4)
Raider’s Guide (2) is a marvel in the Australian staying ranks and proved that last start when winning the Group 2 Super Stayers Invitational.
The son of Zambora Brockie landed on Autumn Storm’s back before dashing clear to win his first look at this course and distance in a slick 41.33 seconds.
He’s racing in great form having led all the way in the Group 1 Sandown Cup two starts back where he clocked 41.59 seconds in a three-length victory.
He’s a regular in Group 1 finals and can land on the arm from box 2.
1 Unit – Raider’s Guide (2)
Ethanol Water (1) will benefit from his first look at this course and distance last start where she chased home Raider’s Guide to finish 2.75 lengths second in the Group 2 Super Stayers Invitational.
The Thomas Dailly-trained bitch arrived in Queensland in good form with wins in the Pink Diamond Champion Distance Final and the Cup Night Community Challenge Final at Bendigo.
She’s been one of Australia’s best distance stars over the past year with multiple Group 1 wins including Gold Cup at Albion Park in January.
From box 1 she should enjoy a beautiful run.
1 Unit – Ethanol Water (1)
Zig Zag Man (1) didn’t have the best of luck when taking on this course and distance for the first time in the Ladbrokes Origin Greyhound Series Distance race.
The son of Fernando Bale copped a check early that saw him settle out the back before then running into trouble when making his move through the pack in the back straight.
His form prior to that was excellent with back-to-back wins over 622m at Richmond in slick times.
If he can avoid trouble from box 1 then he could prove hard to hold out.
1 Unit – Zig Zag Man (1)
Good Odds Cobber (2) is one of Australia’s best sprinters and brings superb form to the opening heat of the Ladbrokes Brisbane Cup.
The son of Fernando Bale was last seen jumping straight to the front in the Ladbrokes Origin Greyhound Series Sprint and going on to win by 5.25 lengths in 29.46 seconds.
He’s undefeated in three starts over this course and distance having also won a Brisbane Cup Prelude in a slick 29.48 seconds as well as a 30.12 win in the pouring rain.
He should be able to find the front early from box 2 and if that’s the case then they more than likely won’t get past him.
2 Units – Good Odds Cobber (2)
Excavation (8) is a powerhouse from the Jason Thompson kennel that has prepared beautifully for the Brisbane Cup.
The son of Fernando Bale has returned from a spell in great order with wins in his past four starts including a sizzling 29.09 second victory over 515m at Sandown prior to coming to Queensland.
Last start he faced this course and distance for the first time and after settling in second, he produced a strong finish to run down Inconspicuous and win in 29.82 seconds.
The multiple Group 1 winner will be better for the experience and should get a clear run into the first bend from box 8.
1 Unit – Excavation (8)
Flying Zulu (8) returned to Queensland last start for his Brisbane Cup defense and proved that he’s up to the challenge.
The Jason Thompson-trained dog wasn’t the quickest away over this course and distance but demonstrated his will to win by finding the gaps on the first bend and back straight to go on to win in 29.97 seconds.
He’s a multiple Group 1 winner and won his most recent top flight race just five starts ago when leading all the way in the Harrison-Dawson Final at Sandown Park.
Box 8 should allow him to build momentum early and with a clear path he’ll take some beating.
1 Unit – Flying Zulu (8)
Blue Blend (8) set the 520m Q2 Parklands track record of 29.16 seconds last start when causing a boilover in the Ladbrokes Origin Greyhound Series Match Race.
The Jeff Crawford-trained dog lights up the back straight in his races which was the case three starts back when he won over this course and distance in 29.29 seconds.
He can run low 5 seconds to the first marker so if he repeats that here from box 8 then he can cross this field or at the very least land close.
He’s one of Queensland’s most exciting chasers and is undefeated when wearing the pink rug.
1 Unit – Blue Blend (8)
Tim Zoo (6) arrived in Queensland in good form four starts ago with a fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Harrison-Dawson Final.
The Jason Thompson-trained dog proved too classy in his heat of the Group 2 Cyndie’s Magic three starts back when overcoming a slow jump from box 8 to power through the field and win in 30.22 seconds.
After a luckless run in the Cyndie’s Magic Final, the son of Aussie Infrared bounced back in a big way last start over this course and distance when breaking the hands of the clock in 29.21 seconds and beating his rivals by seven lengths.
That was his first look at Q2 Parklands, so he’ll scarily be better for the experience.
2 Units – Tim Zoo (6)
Deadly Avenger (4) continued his excellent Brisbane Cup preparation last start when overcoming a check in the first bend to prove too strong in the run home for a 29.81 second win.
The son of Tommy Shelby tasted defeat for the first time in seven starts, when two races back he finished 1.25 lengths second in the Group 1 Harrison-Dawson Final at Sandown.
He’s a proven Group 1 performer with several big race final appearances and he won the Perth Cup just six starts ago.
With a Q2 Parklands run under his belt, he looks the one to beat in the final heat of the Brisbane Cup.
He won his only previous start from box 2.
1 Unit – Deadly Avenger (4)
Zipping Vivid (8) exploded out of this box last start when charging to the front and going on to win in 30.36 seconds.
The Tom Tzouvelis-trained bitch can be hit or miss but when she’s on, she’s capable of producing excellent results which includes a win at Q1 Lakeside just four starts ago.
She boasts a personal best of 30.14 seconds for this course and distance and if she begins as well as she did last start then we could get ourselves a good priced winner in the last.
1 Unit Each Way – Zipping Vivid (8)