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Sunburst looking for Ipswich bounce back

16 March 2022

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By Alex Nolan

Trainer Jedda Cutlack hopes Sunburst can follow in the footsteps of litter brother Showdown and bounce back from a disappointing interstate trip at Ipswich on Thursday.

Sunburst will be out to maintain her perfect four-from-four record over 630m at Ipswich when she exits box seven in a Fifth Grade event.

Sunburst returned to Queensland early this week after finishing sixth in a semi-final of the Country Classic at Dubbo on Saturday night, which followed a trip to Nowra for the heats.

Cutlack said travel could “make or break” some greyhounds.

It certainly did Showdown’s chances no harm last Thursday when he returned from an interstate sojourn with a blistering 30.09 win over 520m.

“Hopefully Sunburst can do the same, but we’ll see,” Cutlack said.

Sunburst’s latest outing over 630m at Ipswich saw her bolt in the Past Members Trophy on Ipswich Cup night in November, where she beat home gun stayer Micks Recall in the process.

Races

5
5

Ipswich | Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club | 7:40 PM

Past Members Trophy F

“She was a bit disappointing when she went away … but she’s had the work because she’s been racing and she loves Ipswich. Hopefully she can do well but I won’t be too shocked if she doesn’t,” the up=and-coming trainer said. 

Later, Showdown will look to go back-to-back when he steps out in the Best 8.

There he’ll meet the likes of in-form chasers Power Moves (Box 4), Magical Cyndie (Box 6), Kiss And Spin (Box 2) and Extra Malt (Box 1), who sped out to win in 30.11 in the same grade last Thursday.

“If he can run the time he did last week (30.09), he won’t have any dramas,” Cutlack said.

“He’s gotten stronger over the last couple of runs but he’s never going to be as strong as (Extra Malt) so I think he will have to lead her.”

Cutlack also boxes Strategise in race six and Sleuth in the seventh event, with both chasers set to leave from box four.  

Meanwhile, Mitchell Street will again make the 750km journey to contest the Group 2 Maitland Cup (450m) on Monday.

The rising four-year-old qualified for the final when winning in 24.95sec in his heat last Monday, beating home one of the early favourites – Ties That Bind – by two-lengths.

“The last two times he’s raced there and won we’ve gone down in the morning. He’s a calm enough dog that you can travel on the day of the race,” she said.  

Despite struggling at 520m of late, Cutlack said the veteran chaser was still showing plenty of zest for racing.

“Hes pretty much going as good as he ever has but is struggling at the tail end of his races. That’s why we looked at Maitland for him because it’s 450,” Cutlack said.