Red Rug Could Help Lady Toy In Association Cup

By Stuart Turner

Formidable Space Star looks a red-hot chance for Saturday's Group 1 AAA Radiator Specialists Association Cup (720m) but Jamie Ennis thinks his charge Lady Toy can upset the odds.

Space Star (pictured) will likely start the $75,000-to-the-winner race as a huge favourite, having dominated the country's staying ranks in recent months.

He has drawn box two in the final and underlined his status as the one to beat with a stunning 41.71 effort in last week's heat.

Lady Toy starts inside him with the red rug and Ennis, whose wife Brooke trains the stayer, thinks she has decent claims.

"I think it's good she is inside Space-star">Space">Space Star," he said. "I'm happy with that.

"I think this draw will help.She will have the Space to jump and can charge to the lead.

"She ran really (in the heat) and I think she likes coming here.

"Space-star">Space Star will obviously be tough and starts favourite, but I wouldn't rule Lady Toy out."

Lady Toy took her career record to 16 wins from 56 starts with her victory in last week's heat.

She has had to play second fiddle to Space Star in recent months but finished ahead of her as runner-up in the recent Group 1 Super Stayers decider, a race won by Luna Jinx.

Space Star is aiming for his fourth Group title and has won five of his nine previous trips to Wentworth Park.

Robbie Britton's charge  looks well positioned with moderate beginner Lady Toy in box one and fast starter Lillycette, a wide runner, drawn in three.

The latter is a classy stayer from canny Tasmanian trainer Ted Medhurst but may find this a shade too tough.

Sweet It Is is the obvious danger from the rest of the field after battling her way through to the final.

Last year's winner returned from three months out with a solid 42.36 heat run and should be stronger for that effort.

Only one other greyhound has won the race twice in its 50-year history but Sweet It Is can win this if she is at full fitness.

Zipping Felix and Zipping Maggie jump from boxes five and six for owner-trainer Marty Hallinan, with Zipping Maggie looking the pick of the pair.

Last year's Group 3 Chairman's Cup winner has been through a lean spell but looks to be heading back to her best form in recent weeks.

She has beaten the likes of Xylia Allen and Sweet It Is in the past and ran a decent 42.07 behind Sweet It Is in last week's semi-finals.

Unix Bale and Opec Bale complete the field and despite both being class stayers, it is difficult to see either challenging for the win here.

For Wentworth Park Saurday fields, form and expert picks, click here.

Group 1 Association Cup Box Draw (Sportsbet Fixed Odds prices in brackets): 1. Lady Toy ($2.75) 2. Space Star ($2.10) 3. Lillycette ($15) 4. Sweet It Is ($6.50) 5. Zipping Felix ($16) 6. Zipping Maggie ($11) 7. Unix Bale ($31) 8. Opec Bale ($18). Reserves: Nicki Fields, Blinker's On.