3 minute read
The spotlight shines on Cannington this Saturday night as the 48th running of the Group One Perth Cup worth $200,000 to the winner is run. It has previously been won by My Bro Fabio,Simon Told Helen and twice by Qld chaser High Earner in 2010 and 2011.
Last weeks heats seen the cream rise to the top as Western Australia's best chasers proved their worth as they dominated the heats to qualify for this Saturdays $200,000 to the winner. The Perth Cup is the pinnacle of greyhound racing and the cup will remain in Western Australia unlike previous years when the cup has travelled back interstate.
Electrified and Elite Machine set tongues wagging when winning their respective heats in 29.63 and 29.55. What was more impressive was that both greyhounds done so in races 9 and 10 on the night. Super impressive considering most tracks tend to slow throughout the night. Rightly so both should just about start equal favourites leading into Saturday nights Group One over the 520 metres.
Electrified a son of Aussie Infrared showed his ability back in November when contesting the Group Three Young Star Classic,winning by an impressive 11 lengths as a short priced odds on favourite.His resume speaks for itself with a ultra consistent 30 start career for 19 wins. With a win ratio of 63 percent. He has also been placed on another nine occasion for over $180,00 in career prize money.
Elite Machine trained by Jamie Marsh was the fastest qualifier with a blistering 29.55 heat win and has drawn the coveted one box. Also by sire Aussie Infrared it will be the dogs acid test as he has never contested any group heats or finals prior to last Saturday nights Perth Cup heat win.
However he did contest a Free For All event in late February announcing himself with a 29.59 win beating the likes of quality chasers Knowing and Rumblin'Moment. On those two fast runs alone especially the Perth Cup heat win last week, Elite Machine has announced that he is well and truly ready to take the step up in class and match it with the best Western Australia has to offer.
For the two favourites , if either did win it would present trainers Krystal Shinners and Jamie Marsh with a first ever Perth Cup victory. Both are astute conditioners. Krystal the wife of Steve Shinners an astute trainer in his own right having overseen the racing career of past Western Australia champion chaser Tommy Shelby.
Of the others Lupini Monelli and Momentum also seem to be geniune chances in the Group One Perth Cup. Momnetum has the fastest time at the Cannington circuit having posted a 29.50 personal best at the track. However that time was recorded back in April of last year.
It's sure to be a full house at Cannington Saturday night for the Group One extravaganza. We wish all runners in the great race a safe journey.
