The Group 1 Gold 1242 Sale Cup (650m) is the highlight of a wonderful night of racing this Boxing Day evening. Here is a run-down of each runner in the race…

1. COME ON FANTASY: Perfectly drawn here in Box 1 for Joe Borg, she was a terrific winner of her heat where she overcame troubles to scores a big win in 37.93sec. She hasn’t been jumping the best lately, but with the aid of the inside draw I expect her to be able to utilise that and she will run a tremendous race. HEAT REPLAY (Box 6)

2. LITHGOW PANTHER: A winner of the Group 3 John Dillon Memorial two starts ago, this guy is low flying at present. Well drawn here, he will need luck in the first half of the race but with clear running he will be a big factor. He charged home in his heat to just miss behind No Donuts, where we was arguably a good thing beaten. HEAT REPLAY (Box 4)

3. RING THE BELL: Star Gippsland stayer who was awesome in his heat win where he recorded the fastest time of 37.61. A quick beginner, expect him to be right up there early where he will get his chance. This is his toughest test to date but based on his heat run he is in with a real chance. HEAT REPLAY (Box 7) 

4. BOURBSKI FEVER: Pictured above (box 1), the Group 1 Bold Trease winner has had little luck since that run in November. Drawn a little awkwardly here as she isn’t the best of beginners, so she will need luck. She has a big finish on her as evidenced in her Bold Trease win, so if she is anywhere near them coming off the track, look out! HEAT REPLAY (Box 1) 

5. NO DONUTS: NSW trained greyhound who is a winning machine having won 17 of 34. Obviously hasn’t drawn well here but he has the speed to offset the horror draw. A flying beginner, he should land in the first couple here and if he finds the front he will certainly give them something to chase. HEAT REPLAY (Box 6) 

6. CHRICHTON BALE: This is easily his toughest test to date but the way he went in his heat he has to be some rough chance. He will need some luck going to the first corner but if he gets an unimpeded passage he has a monster finish on him, as we saw in his heat win last week in 37.84sec, so he can be the blowout hope here. HEAT REPLAY (Box 2)

7. FULL ON BLING: A terrific chaser, although I’m not certain 650m is his preferred distance range. I think he is more suited to 600m so the last 50m has to be an issue here. In saying that, he has the talent to run a mighty race. He is definitely one for the multiples. HEAT REPLAY (Box 3)

8. LADY TOY: Now back with Brooke Ennis, this old girl has been placed in six Group 1s but is yet to break through at that level. If it wasn’t for Space Star and Sweet It Is she would most likely be a dual group 1 winner. Box 8 doesn’t suit her and she is probably just below her top at present, but if she could find her very best she would give this a huge shake. She deserves a Group 1 next to her name. HEAT REPLAY (Box 3)

RESERVES

9. BELLS ARE RINGIN: Exciting young stayer who can run a good race if she gains a start. HEAT REPLAY (Box 5)

10. SPRING TRAIL: Unlikely to get a start here but if he did make the field and drew well he could come right into play but he would need lots of luck. HEAT REPLAY (Box 1)

SUMMARY: This year’s Sale Cup looks a tremendously wide open race. I am keen on Bourbski Fever (4). I think she is the superior stayer in the race. She will need luck, but if she gets a clear passage I can’t see how they will hold her off. For second placeI like Ring the Bell (3), who was the fastest heat winner. He will give them something to run down here. In third place I’ve put in Full on Bling (7) for some value. If he gets into second or third position by the first corner he can run a nice race, but the last 50 metres is the worry with him. I’ll throw in Come On Fantasy (1) for fourth. She is well drawn and can run a nice race. All in all it is a tough race to assess, and it would not surprise to see anyone of the eight dogs win, but wouldn’t it be something if Lady Toy could break her Group 1 hoodoo?
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MY SALE CUP SELECTIONS: 4-3-7-1

If I had $20 to punt on the Sale Cup, here’s what I’d do…

$10 FIRST 4: 4 / 3,7 / 1,2,3,7 / Field (33.33%)

$5 TRIFECTA: 3,4 / 3,4,7,8 / 1,3,4,7,8 (27.77%)

$5 WIN: Bourbski Fever (4)
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SALE FORMGUIDE
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