Falcon’s Fury may still be working his way back to full fitness but he’s still the one to beat in Friday night’s Dubbo Mayor’s Cup Final (516m) at Dawson Park.
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Paul Braddon’s star has only had four starts since a five-month spell but had drawn box one for the $4000-to-the-winner final after running second in his heat one week ago.
“The good dog has drawn box one so he’s going to be hard to beat,” Dubbo Greyhound Racing Club president Shayne Stiff said.
“Midnight Treat will run a big race and Falcon had a long time off so he’s still finding he’s way back but he’s the one to beat.”
Midnight Treat, who will go from box three, comes from the kennels of Raymond Smith at Forbes and she had developed into one of the state’s leading stayers.
The distance of 516m is a drop down for Midnight Treat but she showed her ability last week when she powered home, held off Falcon’s Fury and set the fastest qualifying time.
She is one of two hopes for Smith in Friday night’s feature, the other being Irinka Sneaky.
“She (Midnight Treat) is a graded dog and won more than $100,000,” Stiff said.
“Irinka Sneaky is a rough hope because he can lead but it’s all going to come down to the start.
“If Falcon jumps well and leads it could be all over.”
Falcon’s Fury was beaten to the rail in the heat and ended up three wide in the straight, however a late burst secured a spot in the final.
His record at the Dubbo track is imposing, having notched six wins and two seconds from eight starts.
Falcon’s Fury has won 20 of his 36 starts and has won close to $115,000 in his career, however he hasn’t won a feature race since taking out the Dubbo Gold Cup in April.
Paul Braddon and his wife Pamela could find Friday’s nights journey to Dubbo a rewarding one, with a trio of Falcon’s Fury’s kennelmates also lining up in the Mayors Cup Final.
Just Magic, Spring Jazz and Little Cindy negotiated their respective heats but appear outside hopes at best.
Fawn Express, who hasn’t had a win since March of this year, Justa Grant and Little Cindy round out the Mayor’s Cup field.
“It’s another of the time-honoured races and it’s one all trainers would like to win,” Stiff said.
“When you get up around the $10,000 you get a lot of dogs from Sydney and elsewhere traveling to take part but when it’s around the four or five (thousand) people get to have what it’s like to win a race in Sydney.”
Racing starts at Dawson Park from 7.21pm on Friday night with the Mayor’s Cup Final the sixth race on the card at 9.05pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
