Paul Abela says there’ll be “no excuses” for warm favourite Panadero Warrior in Sunday night’s Group 2 Cyril Rowe Gold Cup Final (472m) at Bulli.
Striving to break a ‘full field’ Group hoodoo of his own, Abela is hoping it will be a case of third time lucky in a country cup decider for Panadero Warrior, a finalist in the G2 Bendigo and Warragul Cups in his home state.
Panadero Warrior is Sportsbet’s $2.70 favourite for the $40,000 to-the-winner Cup – race 7 at 8.07pm – after drawing to perfection in box eight.
“I’ve never had the favourite for a Group race, so this is probably my best chance.”
Winner of 12 from 31, Panadero Warrior made light of Abela’s concerns about an inside draw in box two in his heat last Sunday, leading all-the-way in a flying 26.02sec at his Bulli debut.
The son of Barcia Bale and Time No Money, which turned three on January 8, was shaded by the barest of margins for qualifying honours by local Trunkey John’s 26.01sec.
“I’m always worried when this dog draws an inside box, because he runs to box five,” said Abela.
“But he began well, the outside division missed it, and he got to where he wanted to be.
“That was what we thought he could run and hopefully he can find a little bit this week.”
WATCH: PANADERO WARRIOR (B2) was a scorching all-the-way 26.02sec winner of his G2 Bulli Gold Cup heat (472m), with fellow Victorian JUNGLE PANTHER (B8) a strong-finishing third.
Jungle Panther, trained by Jeff Geall, gave Victoria a second finalist, courtesy of running third to Panadero Warrior, and the regally-related son of Barcia Bale and Up Hill Jill is the $5 second elect from box two in the final.
Abela has been thwarted by poor draws in previous attempts at Group glory – to the extent his misfortune has become a running joke with mates.
To date, Abela’s only Group celebration came via stayer Five Star in the G3 Lizrene Speed Star two-greyhound match race series in 2021, and he says Sunday night is the best chance he’s had to correct that anomaly.
“There’s no excuses this week,” Abela said.
“He’s drawn where he wants to be, and Michelle (Sultana) has told me he’s had a great week.
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“I’ve never really drawn well in Group races but this time everything has fallen into place. To win these races you need to tick all the boxes, and so far everything has been spot on this time.
“I know ‘the two’ – Jungle Panther – and I expect him to improve out of sight. No disrespect to the NSW dogs, but I don’t know much about them.
“If my dog begins and does everything right, he’ll be very hard to beat.
“I’ve never had the favourite for a Group race, so this is probably my best chance.
“I’ve been in plenty and had some good chances. Aston Peregrine was second or third favourite for the (G1) Peter Mosman Opal and ran last and I thought Huxley was a big chance in the (G1) Hobart Thousand and he finished fourth.
“I won’t be there on Sunday – I’ll be at Sandown with a maiden! But the owners will be there, Jordan Baker and his dad Dean.
“I’m good friends with Darryl Thomas and Michelle Sultana, who are looking after the dog while he’s in NSW, and it would be great to win a good race with them.”
Panadero Warrior is the second greyhound Abela has sent to partners Thomas and Sultana, who’ve enjoyed great success with veteran Aston Ulysses, runner-up in the G1 Rookie Rebel one year ago, which has won five from six in masters events since relocating.
“Aston Ulysses is four-and-a-half but in his last win at Gosford he ran 28.98sec, which was quicker than She’s A Pearl went!” Abela quipped.
Abela will have two Group finalists in the next week, with well-bred youngster Al’s Entity (Collision x Zara’s Entity) qualifying for the G3 Vic Bred Maiden Final (525m) on Australian Cup night after running third in his semi-final on Wednesday afternoon.
“He just hasn’t had the chance to race yet,” Abela said.
“He’s drawn box seven for the final and I reckon that might be okay. This dog just needs 20m of clear running and he’ll show people how good he is!”
