Questions Hover Over Big Opal Rocks' Cup Claims

BLOODS are right, the dog has been checked over, is feeling well, but trainer Mario Briganti is still concerned about the chances of his budding superstar Big Opal Rocks in Thursday night's Group 1 Brisbane Cup (520m) at Albion Park.

Big Opal Rocks (Kinloch Brae-Red Rocks) won his heat of the Cup last Thursday night but Mario admits he was not happy with the dog's performance when beating Shipwreck in 30.02.

“I stuffed up,” said Mario. “I normally take my dogs interstate a couple of days before but last week I went up only a day earlier.

“There were a lot of domestics on the flight and that really upset him.

“And it appears he did not get enough time to settle in.

2022 @SkyRacingAU Brisbane Cup Heat 2 520m

1st: Big Opal Rocks (2) – 30.02
2nd: Shipwreck (8)
3rd: Special Cyndie (3)#QLDisRacing@RaceQLD @tabcomau @GerardDaffy @Bunny_Brasch @GRV_News @MMcInallyPhotos @SEN_track pic.twitter.com/yFABo2xO1o

— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) June 30, 2022

” Brent (Kline), who caught him, said he copped a bit of a brush along the rail in the back straight and then bounced back into the dog on his outside.”

Briganti is concerned Big Opal Rocks could be starting to train off.

“He's only a young dog who has just turned two,” he said. “He's already been to Sydney a couple of times and now to Brisbane.

“Within six to 12 months this dog could be a super middle distance or staying performer. A break very soon will not hurt him.”

The problem he faces is that the heats of the Group 1 Maturity at The Meadows come up a week after the Brisbane Cup final.

Briganti said he had Big Opal Rocks checked over by his vet, had blood tests taken which showed he was all clear, and he free galloped on Monday in preparation for the Cup final.

“I can't be confident,” said Mario. “I am one who goes on their last run and I was disappointed with his last run.

“He trialled 29.50 at his first look at the track so he was five tenths off his best last week.”

Briganti says the one (Photo Man) and the eight (Orchestrate) are perfectly boxed for the final.

“My bloke should get a very nice run early because the one and the two are quick out and this should get him onto the rails straight away,” he said.

“But Photo Man likes to use a little bit of the track and I'm hoping this can cause a bit of trouble for those wanting to come over from the wide draws.

“We are in a half a million dollar race. If he was right at his peak, I would be confident especially with the box draw.

“But, on last week's run, I can't be confident.

“He needs to find five tenths in a week.”