Fantastic Raven Set For Stern Brisbane Cup Test

DAVE Jolley and his trainer Jason Mackay reckon it's about time their group star Fantastic Raven won a group race.

Fantastic Raven goes into Thursday night's heats of the Group 1 Brisbane Cup (520m) at Albion Park with a record of 68 starts for 25 wins, 27 placings and stakes of $174,000.

FIELDS AND FORM ALBION PARK THURSDAY

But, while that is impressive to say the least, the daughter of Fernando Bale-Fantastic Dotty has been luckless in feature race finals.

Only last week she chased home Good Odds Cash in the track record time of 29.24 in the Group 2 Richmond Oaks.

She had also been second in the Country Classic, Chief Havoc Cup, third in the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg and a finalist in the Group 3 Brother Fox.

She had to do it the hard way but Fantastic Raven claims the third and final heat of the 2022 G2 Ladbrokes Richmond Oaks in a sharp 29.76.

She qualifies fifth fastest for next week's $40,000 Final!

Full Result: https://t.co/8Lb8P3bLOU#thedogs pic.twitter.com/goNrnCr18t

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) June 17, 2022

“Yes, it would be nice to grab one of the big ones,” said David.

“No, she has not been to Albion Park before, but Jason says she fits the criteria perfectly to go there, a fast early but strong bitch which describes her.”

Fantastic Raven has drawn the seven in her heat and comes up against star Victorian Big Opal Rocks off the two.

“Her run against Good Odds Cash in the Oaks was great,” said David.

“In fact, in the back straight she was taking ground off Cash. But in the run to the line Cash was running track record time so she was never going to be caught.”

Good Odds Cash comes to Albion Park for the Brisbane Cup as well and has drawn the eight in the final of six heats.

Jolley has already bought semen for champion sire Barcia Bale to use on Fantastic Raven when she retires to stud to produce a highly proven cross with Fernando Bale.

“I've already sold four of them at $15,000 each,” he said.

Jolley has tried thoroughbreds and was successful to the stage where he won Group races and had Derby runners.

“Greyhound racing is much, better,” he said. “And being in Jason Mackay's kennel is the ultimate.”

David and his family will be on holidays when Fantastic Raven runs in the heats of the Brisbane Cup and hopefully the final.

“But, I will have the laptop with me ready to watch her,” he said.

Albion Park will host six heats of the Brisbane Cup and four of the Group 1 Queensland Cup (710m).