TAB’s Nick Quinn writes for www.grv.org.au ahead of Saturday’s massive Group 1 Australian Cup Night at The Meadows…

Punters only want to know about two runners in each of the Group 1 features at The Meadows on Saturday for the final night of the $1.3M Australian Cup Carnival.

In the Group 1 $355,000 Australian Cup (525m)  the market strongly indicates it will be a battle between Dyna Double One ($1.95) and Pop The Cork ($2.90).

Dyna Double One was an $8 chance before his dominant heat win (Replay) with one punter placing $1,000 on him at those odds.

“Dyna Double One is the only Group 1 winner in the race having won three events at the elite level – Melbourne Cup (515m) (Replay); Brisbane Cup (520m) and the Rookie Rebel (600m) (Replay),” Sky Racing’s Mark Duclos said.

Looking at the statistics, it is easy to see why Dyna Double One is attracting support and is an odds-on favourite.

“His record at The Meadows is exemplary with 16 starts for 10 wins and 5 minors. He starts from box 2 in the final, a box from which to date he has had seven starts for seven wins.”

The box draw is the difference in the market. Jason Thompson, trainer of the second elect Pop The Cork is happy with Box 8 as he chases his first Australian Cup success.

Pop The Cork was the fastest qualifier (29.61sec) in the heats (Replay).
Thompson also believes Aston Bolero holds the key to the race and should lead at the first turn from box 3.

“His (Dyna Double One) record at The Meadows is exemplary with 16 starts for 10 wins and 5 minors; he starts from box 2 in the final, a box from which to date he has had seven starts for seven wins.”

In the Group 1 $145,000 Australian Superstayers (725m) punters are confident it will be a two dog battle between No Donuts and Star Recall.

“Either of these two could come through as favourite depending on where the late money heads. At this stage it is No Donuts $1.85 and Star Recall $2,” TAB’s Trent Langskaill said.

“They have pretty much been backed to the exclusion of all other runners with money trickling in for Star Recall who was $2.10 earlier in the week.”

Star Recall’s first venture over the staying journey last week in the heats saw her blitz her rivals in an impressive best of the night time of 42.32sec (Replay).
She has also proved herself at Group 1 level with a win in the Sale Cup (650m) (Replay) in December 2014.

No Donuts, prepared by Anthony Azzopardi, has brilliant early pace and since stepping up to the long distance trip he has won the Group 2 Summer Distance Plate (720m) at Wentworth Park, the Group 1 Sale Cup (650m) (Replay) and the Group 1 Zoom Top (725m) at The Meadows (Replay).
TAB has contributed $50,000 to tonight’s Quaddie pool at The Meadows.

[divider] [/divider]

TAB has opened two special markets for the Group 1 Australian Cup and Superstayers at The Meadows on Saturday night:

‘DOUBLE DONUTS’ – $4.50
The TAB will pay a juicy $4.50 if No Donuts and Dyna Double One claim Group 1 glory on Saturday night. Both runners must start for bets to stand.

‘FIVE STAR THOMPSON’ – $2.00
The TAB will pay $2.00 if any of Jason Thompson’s five runners (Aston Bolero, Black Frenzy, Xtreme Knocka, Morerira or Pop The Cork) wins. All runners must start for bets to stand.

THE MEADOWS FORMGUIDE

[divider] [/divider]