Caption: Beck And Call (Christine Bourke) after winning the Capalaba Young Guns. He is Bunny Brasch’s top pick for the $10,000-to-the-winner QGOLD Final at the straight track on Sunday (Photo: Just Greyhound Photos)
John ‘Bunny’ Brasch previews Sunday’s straight-track racing at Capalaba.
THE main focus of Sunday’s Capalaba meeting is the $10,000-to-the-winner QGOLD Final for the dogs, race eight (2.14pm) on the 12-race program.
The race has been robbed of some interest with the scratchings of two of the leading hopes in Impact and Bartel Hayze, but it should still be a great clash.
Last week’s QGOLD final for the bitches was won by Cliff Houston’s Capalaba track specialist Tira Mira and the trainer has an excellent chance of completing the double on Sunday with Burnt Briar (5), who won his heat last Sunday in 19.64.
However, I’m tipping Beck And Call, a close second to Burnt Briart last week, to turn the tables in the final. Beck And Call was resuming off a four-month break last week and can improve enough on that run to get the job done on Sunday.
Here’s how I see the Capalaba meeting:
Race 1: There look to be two winning chances in the opening race and I’m putting Cheese Kisses (8) on top. Has been runner-up at past two starts at Capalaba. Has his paw right on the till and today could be his day. Atomic Ripple (6) was 2nd behind High Powered here on debut and looks the logical danger. Next best are Cheeky Grub (3) and Frozen Mail (2).
Race 2: Vixen Cruiser (2) was 3rd on debut up the straight here then was 2nd here last Sunday when improved on her time by half a second. Looks the top pick in this. Efogi (1) raced up on the speed from a wide alley on debut at Albion Park and will be better suited from the inside draw here. Tuta Grizzly (3), Lorna’s Creek (4) and Flying Avocado (8) look the next best.
Race 3: Wine Drinker Me (6) is the top pick here. Scored a strong win here two starts ago, breaking 20s for a 19.93 performance. No luck when 4th here at most recent start and can bounce back in this. Once You Go (8) won here from a wide alley four starts ago and has a place hope in this. Orson Utzon (4) and Hooked On Cory (1) look the next best.
Race 4: Oceanic Ripple (6) was a winner at this track back in January and was subsequently placed in an open race. The top pick in this. Who’s Your Papi (3) is a consistent type who is always thereabouts. Next best are Dolly Moscow (7) and Myka (1).
Race 5: Going with Spanish Style (8) in this. Has had two wins at this track and looks suited here from the outside draw. Top claims. Others to consider are Hara’s Rusty (6), Bogie Tornado (3) and Bronze Bomber (1).
Race 6: Major Look (8) won impressively here four starts ago in a fast 19.83. Has had seven starts up the straight for three wins and three seconds. Major threat in this. Next best are Icy Hot (5), Walk Right In (3) and Hoover (1).
Race 7: Isurava (6) returned from a Tasmanian campaign to score an impressive win over 431m at Ipswich last Saturday in 24.88. Had four runs up the straight at Capalaba earlier in career with a best time of 20.06 in his one win here. The top selection in this. Thai Warrior (8) is suited by the wide alley and looks the main danger. Swift Rascal (2) looks the next best, while Billy Nailer (4) and Some Idea (5) could both sneak into the placings.
Race 8: This is the feature race of the afternoon – the QGold Final for the dogs. I’m going with Beck And Call (7) who resumed from a four-month break last Sunday when a close 2nd to Burnt Briar in his heat. Should be just about right fitness-wise with that run under his belt and looks the top pick. Burnt Briar (5) won his heat in 19.64 and is sure to go close again. Selwood Hayze (2) ran 3rd to Burnt Briar last week and a win here wouldn’t surprise. Next best looks to be Cobblepot (3).
Race 9: Tira Mira (4) is a track specialist going for a hat-trick in this and looks the goods again. Barty Hayze (6) chased home Tira Mira here last week and looks the main danger again. Aston Serpens (8) has been placed in his last two runs up the straight, both races won by Coonamble Kid. The only other runner in this event is Moment Of Glory (2).
Race 10: Going with Kick Son (8) in this. Won here two starts ago in 20.10 when came down the outside of the track so box eight suits nicely. Painted Infrared (1) is very consistent at this track and is sure to figure in the finish again. Flying Brockie (5) and Let’s Go Rhyno (6) look the next best.
Race 11: Suzie Knows (2) was a last-start Ipswich winner in Masters grade breaking 25s for a 24.98 performance. Her best time at Capalaba is 19.96 and she looks the top pick in this. Joe Patch (7) scored here last Sunday in 20.18 and a repeat performance is on the cards. Cashmere Kaos (6) and Tuta Rose (4) look the next best.
Race 12: Going with Zulu Blade (3) in this. Is first-up from a three-month let-up and has raced well up the straight in the past. Watch betting to assess his chances. Coruba (2) is yet to win up the straight in 15 attempts, but has been placed 10 times and should figure in the finish again. Lady Swish (6) looks suited in Masters grade and could be the knockout dog in this. Tuta Edge (8) looks the next best.