Heat is on dogs for the Cup

THE heat will be on for some of the region’s top trainers at Townsville Showgrounds on Friday.

After months of preparation, the region’s biggest trainers, and the southern raiders, will set their best runners at the biggest race of the year, the $60,000 WESEAL Group 3 Townsville Cup.

The Townsville Greyhound Club will host four heats for the Cup over 498m on Friday afternoon.

The final is next Friday.

HEAT ONE

Dulceria (4) for Matthew Heilbrom will aim to overcome her inexperience to shock the field in the first heat. She only has eight starts to her name but she can begin well and has a strong finish over the distance.

Mitchell Street (8) for Tom Tzouvelis raced on Saturday for a third behind Excuse Me Jack. He will be better for the run and has each-way claims.

Land Down Under (5) for Serena Lawrence won a heat of the Brisbane Cup over 520m coming from the six box. He is having his first start.

He can begin well and should be up with the leaders.

HEAT TWO

Harold Hovi has On A High (5) in the second heat. He has won his past four races and has a PB of 28.68. He has fair box manners, a big mid-race acceleration and a strong finish. He’s an each-way hope.

Stratford (3) for Rhonda Essery has been racing in Brisbane under the care of Peter O’reilly, and returns home to take on his hometown Cup. He has good box manners and should be up the front early on.

Zipping Coby (1) for Robert

Lound has good form over both the 380m and 498m. He has fair box manners, good mid-race acceleration and a very strong finish.

Louis Rumble (2) for Stephen Kavanagh has been racing in good form in NSW, but he is having his first look over the journey.

HEAT THREE

Peter O’reilly has the in-form Flying Jet. He is coming off a win on Tuesday night from box seven and he is a market watch.

Kooringa Lucy (6) for Selena Zammit has been racing with great success over the 520m, 600m and 710m. She is having her first look over the distance but has plenty of class.

Miss Verity (8) for Robert Lound has drawn wide here, she has good box manners and with a clear run should be up with the front-runners.

HEAT FOUR

Harold Hovi has smart youngster Excuse Me Jack (3) in the final heat. He has been setting a cracking pace whenever he races and it should be no different here. He has good box manners, a PB of 28.52 and will be hard to catch on the bunny.

Call Me Gibbs (1) for Peter O’reilly is in good form and will be the big danger to the favourite.

Urana Shelby (2) for Mark Partland made her return to Townsville after a NSW campaign, running third on Saturday behind Inconsequential.

Truthiness (5) for Darren Johnstone had his first start here on Saturday for a fourth behind Excuse Me Jack. He will be better for the run but the market will be the best guide.

Kennelling for Friday’s 12race meeting closes at 2.27pm. The first race is at 3.12pm.