Detective A True Sale Cup Contender

THERE'S no greyhound in Australia in better form than True Detective and his purple patch is set to continue in Friday night's Group 1 Gold FM Sale Cup heats, with trainer Jeff Britton predicting the 650m will "suit him down to the ground."

True Detective has won 14 of his last 18 starts, and 15 from 22 overall, almost exclusively over middle and staying distances, highlighted by the Group 1 Hume Cup (600m) and Listed Stayers (715m) on Melbourne Cup night.

After a runaway victory over 660m at Ballarat last Saturday night, True Detective will head to Sale for Friday's Cup heats, alongside kennelmate Steinbrenner.

Both have drawn box eight, with True Detective ($2.50 with TAB) to tackle another series heavyweight in Tauwitchere ($2.25 favourite) in heat two, while Steinbrenner ($7.50) will face champion Tornado Tears ($2.40 favourite) in the opening runoff.

Tauwitchere is the $4.50 favourite in TAB's all-in market on the Sale Cup, with the final to be held in its traditional Boxing Day timeslot, ahead of Tornado Tears and True Detective, both at $5.50.

While Jeff Britton has been understandably delighted with True Detective's stunning rise through the distance ranks, he has cautioned about a wide draw and lack of experience around Sale, although he believes the distance is ideal.

"I wanted to trial him at Sale but there's been too much on and because of the rules, I wasn't allowed to trial him between races on race night because he's not from interstate, even though we're four hours away," Britton said.

"He went to Ballarat instead and that worked out perfectly because it was a huge confidence-building run.

"I really think 650m will suit him down to the ground but I just don't like box eight at Sale, especially if you haven't been there.
"You've got to come out well there. Both dogs have got a bit of pace but I'd rather they'd drawn inside."

The Sale Cup will complete a massive two days for Britton, who on Thursday night will have odds-on favourite Oakvale Beauty in the Group 2 Laurels (515m) at Sandown Park and Grey Ghost in the Group 1 Hobart Thousand (461m).

After running an unlucky fourth in the Melbourne Cup Final, beaten only a length by Whiskey Riot, Oakvale Beauty stifled betting on the last of eight Laurels heats held last Sunday, where she started at $1.04 from box one and careered away in a best of day 29.33s.

Oakvale Beauty, a daughter of Britton's Group 1 Sapphire winner Oakvale Destiny, shaded ‘kennelmate' Origami Angel (29.34s), trained by Britton's partner Angela Langton, who won last year's Laurels with Circle Of Dreams, for heat honours.

Oakvale Beauty is undefeated in seven starts from box one and after drawing the rails for the $50,000 to-the-winner Laurels she's the $1.70 favourite with TAB.

"She's drawn where she wants to be," Britton said.

"Since I've had her, she's had three reds, three sixes and a seven in the Melbourne Cup and when she draws inside she's a good bitch. She's a perfect railer.

"I was surprised how well she went in the Melbourne Cup. She was pretty unlucky too because she got held up behind the two leaders (Whiskey Riot and Western Envoy).

"She's not the quickest in the race early, so if something crosses her and gets in her road she might be in a bit of trouble."

In last Thursday's Hobart Thousand heats, Grey Ghost upset superstar Hooked On Scotch, the $1.35 favourite, in a fast 25.74s; however he's a $10 chance in the $75,000 to-the-winner decider, with Hooked On Scotch the $2.10 favourite from box two.

"Grey Ghost had had a run on the track, while Hooked On Scotch got a bit lost," Britton said.

"Once he led, I thought he would be hard to catch, even if it was Hooked On Scotch chasing him. To win again this week he'll have to get out well and have a few things go his way."