By Molly Haines
Cranbourne local Graham Brown is hoping that his home-bred talent can make it through to the Group Two Casey Steel Cranbourne Cup with five heats set to run this Saturday night, 3 February.
Jumping from box three in the opening heat, Rapanui Reveller has his work cut out for him with one of Victoria’s best sprinters in Up Hill Jill drawn on his outside.
Up Hill Jill is a winner of 32 races from 60 starts and is just shy of $500,000 in prize money thanks to a win in the $150,000 Group One Topgun.
Rapanui Reveller may not have the same experience as Up Hill Jill but his owner, breeder and trainer Graham Brown believes if given the room his 33 kilo chaser is talented enough to make it through to his first group race.
“He is a length off being a really good dog,” Graham Brown said.
“Up Hill Jill does everything right, she is quick early and finishes the races off well.”
“I am hoping that Rapanui Reveller can position himself behind her because he finished races off well.”
Rapanui Reveller is no stranger to Greyhound Racing Victoria’s Gippsland Carnival which began on Boxing Day at Sale, moved to Warragul then to Traralgon and concludes at Cranbourne on 10 February, having competed in the Warragul leg.
“He finished fourth in the Warragul Cup heats because he just couldn’t get enough room. His times were good enough to make it through to the Cup, but he missed out unfortunately,” Brown said.
Now, all momentum lead to Cranbourne and if Rapanui Reveller is to make it through to the Cup he is likely going to come up against some tough competition.
Traralgon Cup winner Poke The Bear who is trained by local Seona Thompson also features in the $67,000 Cranbourne Cup heats with many suggesting he will walk away from the Gippsland Carnival with two county cups to his name.
The five Cranbourne Cup heats will begin at 6.49pm on Saturday night at Cranbourne, with the winners and three fastest seconds earning their rug in the Group Two Casey Steel Cranbourne Cup.
Being the final leg of the Gippsland Carnival, Cranbourne Cup night is going to be a big one with entertainment for the entire family and best off all, entry is free. For more information on Cranbourne Cup night, Saturday 10 February go to grv.org.au.
