Dzeko">Dzeko has a famous soccer name and she looks ready to score a triumph in Thursday’s Group 1 Gold Cup (710m) final at Albion Park.
The stayer, an impressive 42.00 heat winner, jumps from box five in Thursday’s Cup final.
Victory would be the first Group 1 win for Dzeko’s trainer Sam Dart, who is part of the stalwart Dart training clan based on the NSW Far North Coast.
Father John said his son, who also runs a lawn mowing and tree-lopping business alongside training, had every right to feel confident ahead of the final.
“Dzeko's got a really good chance,” he said. “She’s beaten the likes of Sweet It Is in Melbourne, so she’s definitely competitive.
“Last week was the first time she's led, but she always comes home very strong.
"She's definitely competitive here."
Last week's victory took Dzeko's record to a solid 10 wins and 12 minor placings from 36 starts.
She is in great form, with four wins and three minor placings in her last seven starts.
Dzeko starts from box five in the final and will be tough to beat if she can repeat her eye-catching strong finish from the heats.
The decider looks an even affair, with several of the field carrying realistic chances.
Hougenie (box seven) finished runner-up behind Tuavasa Shek last week but could provide tempting value.
The stayer has a good record over 700m in decent company, knows the track and has been very consistent over the last six months.
Lady Toy was below-par while finishing fourth last week but should go better in the final from box eight.
The Brooke Ennis-trained stayer has beaten the likes of Space Star and Sweet It Is in her time and has undoubted quality.
Zipping Maggie (box six) is also better than her third place finish last week suggests and should be improved from that run.
Cyndie’s Magic (box three) and Cosmic Vee Bee in box four are the outsiders but come from good kennels and can challenge for the minor placings.
With Luna Jinx's scratching on Thursday morning, Mullaway gets a run in box two.
Joanne's Price veteran is not in great form but has a best of 41.77 and could provide tempting value.
The Darts have had a handful of previous finalists in the Gold Cup, including $4.90 winner Miss Grub in 2007.
Dzeko’s namesake is Edin Dzeko, the Bosnian striker who plays for English giants Manchester City.
She was named by Sam’s brother Tim, an avid Manchester City fan.
"Tim names all of Sam's dogs," Dart senior said. "He is absolutely crazy about soccer.
"It's nice that we have this bond as a family (and) you love being in these big races.
“We’re not drinkers, so we won’t celebrate too much if we win, though. It will be business as usual the day after."
Tuavasa Shek's scratching has allowed first reserve Reality">Reality Ghost to get a run from box one.
The night also features an open-looking Flying Amy Classic (520m) with Pop The CORK (box one) seeming the one to back.
Peter Ruetschi’s sprinter clocked a flying 29.59 in last week’s heats, the latest in a string of impressive performances since his terrific debut in February this year.
Colin Graham’s Elusive Desire (box three) has run consistently in recent months and looks a tempting roughie.
In other action, Group winners Iva Vision and Keybow look strong chances in races six and nine respectively.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 1 Gold Cup Box Draw: 1. Reality Ghost 2. Mullaway 3. Cyndie’s Magic 4. Cosmic Vee Bee 5. Dzeko 6. Zipping Maggie 7. Hougenie 8. Lady Toy.
