Brilliant Barak Up There With Fletcher's Best

FALLS Creek trainer Jason Fletcher says the first 10 strides will go a long way to deciding the fate of his star sprinter Aston Barak in Friday's Goulburn Cup final.

Goulburn has proved a happy hunting ground for Aston Barak in the latter half of this year.

The son of Aston Dee Bee was the inaugural winner of the $50,000-to-the-winner Southern Stars in July then he ended the unbeaten winning streak of superstar She's A Pearl in the Regional Million Dollar Chase Qualifier.

FIELDS AND FORM GOULBURN FRIDAY

Aston Barak will jump from box five in Friday's $40,000-to-the-winner Goulburn Cup final where he's the fastest qualifier in 24.49 seconds.

He's a winner of seven of his nine starts at the track with a personal best time of 24.29.

"I'd say the first 20 metres will decide our fate on Friday," Fletcher said. "Box five is the worry.

"I'm not a fan of box five anywhere but it's what we've got so we have to make the best of the situation.

"I'm hoping I see him and Yuko Girl at it in the run to the corner and then it's up to him.

"The dog is very good.

"He's going the best he's ever gone so hopefully he flies out and does what he does."

Fletcher has put a lead and collar on more than his fair share of classy chasers, the best being the Group 1 winner Fantastic Spiral but when it comes to raw ability he says Aston Barak can match it with any.

"(Fantastic) Spiral won a Group 1, a Group 2 and a Group 3 so he's the best race dog I've trained but as far as ability goes, Barak's right up there with any of them," he said.

It was all over at boxrise!

Aston Barak loves @goulburn_grc, and he has put on a grand display to win @ladbrokescomau Goulburn Cup Heat 3 in the quickest time so far of 24.49!

Full Results: https://t.co/BNLY2vBJvN#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/7MHVKifIFR

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) October 14, 2022

"He's not a record holder or anything but he's just a really good dog.

"He's won 24 of 52 but if he had more luck with box draws at Wentworth Park, his record would be even better than that."

After Friday's rich final, Fletcher plans to travel Aston Barak to Melbourne to prepare for the heats of the $1m Melbourne Cup in November.

"I'd like to have a crack at the Melbourne Cup with him," he said.

"He's got brilliant speed and he's strong so I think he's worth a shot at it."