Star greyhound trainers Jamie Hosking and Tom Tzouvelis to challenge Darwin-based trainers in Chief Minister’s Cup heats

THREE heats of the Listed Chief Minister’s Cup are set down for the Winnellie Park greyhounds today, with the first and second placegetters to go through to the final the following week.

2017 Darwin Cup-winning trainers Brian Kelleher and Tom Tzouvelis with winning bitch Off And On. Star Queensland trainer Tzouvelis is back in Darwin for this year’s Cup Carnival. Picture: Josh Spasaro

THREE heats of the Listed Chief Minister’s Cup are set down for the Winnellie Park greyhounds today, with the first and second placegetters to go through to the final the following week.

The two quickest third place-getters from the heats will also go through.

Apart from the dogs who have already relocated who have been impressive so far, including Vice Grip for Peter Donnolley, Go Quantum and Mighty Marshall for Andrew Lasker, as well as Gippsland Storms for Graeme Ferns, there has been an influx of interstate dogs who look to have sound credentials for the heats.

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And this will make for some outstanding racing.

Those greyhounds include Cooper Dooper and Showdown for regular visitor Tom Tzouvelis from Queensland, as well as Joni Keeping for Western Australia visitor Tim Mullay.

They will make heat one very interesting, with local hopes Sketchy Butler for Andrew Lasker and Percy’s Dream also in the mix for Adam Poulter.

Heat two has two strong local hopes in Go Quantum for Lasker and Gippsland Storms for Ferns.

They will have their work cut out as Tzouvelis has Sunburst and local boy Jamie Hosking, who has done well in recent times in Queensland, has sent over Waltzing Mickey which is great to see.

The last heat has recent 383m record holder Vice Grip engaged for Peter Donnolley who should prove hard to beat, however the likes of Mighty Marshall for Andrew Lasker, Billy’s The Boss for Tim Mullany and Vesper Bale for Tom Tzouvelis all have strong credentials to make this a genuine contest to round out the heats.

The high-quality racing does not stop there as there are eleven races on the night with plenty of depth to them, including the open sprint over the flying 312m journey and Blasting Billy jumping from box two for Tim Mullany ran a scintillating time last week.

He has to be a leading contender, although the likes of Go Brandi for Steele Bolton, Want It All for Richard Carr and Aeroplane Rose for Adam Poulter can keep him honest.

Speaking of Adam Poulter, he continues to chalk up the winners and across the night has some good chances including Quetzalli in race one, both Female Boss and Good Bye Vince have claims in race nine, while to finish the night Weeona Polly has drawn nicely in box eight which brings her right into the race.

Other notable hopes include Seraphim for Tim Mullany who may have the class edge on her opposition in race two, Saint Wallace is going well and in race three for Rob Brown should prove hard to hold out, while Pie On Wednesday for Simon Nathanael should be suited over the 383m journey and has to have strong claims.

First race is set down for 6.25pm with the gates open from 5pm on what will be a terrific night’s racing, with eleven races to be contested including three heats of the Chief Minister’s Cup.