Maiden Clash To Set Australian Cup Night Tone

SATURDAY night's Australian Cup program at The Meadows is littered with absorbing match ups.

But with a view to the future, perhaps none more so than the engrossing clash between rising stars Legacy and Tribeca in the GRV VicBred Maiden Final (525m).

On the strength of their resounding semi-final victories, the hugely exciting duo look every bit legitimate group class stars of the future.

Legacy, trained by Jason Thompson, is a son of sire up and comer Plaintiff which won this race to launch his stellar career in 2022.

Part-owned by AFL great Jonathan Brown and Amanda Tullio, the wraps on Legacy have been big, real big, for a while.

And his unbridled potential was there for all to see in his semi-final romp, carving out slick sections to win running away in 30.01.

The prodigious talent, remarkably not two until June, improved significantly from week one to week two and it is anticipated he will take further improvement heading into the finale on Saturday night.

Legacy (ex Shallow Witts) will exit box eight for the final while his main rival Tribeca will negotiate box five.

As is the case with Legacy, the wraps on Tribeca have been significant since early education and despite two seconds to begin his career, the son of Aston Rupee has really hit his stride the past fortnight.

Trained by another leading mentor in Jamie Ennis, Tribeca won his heat by a mammoth 14 lengths in 29.93 before carving out a sizzling 29.72 to win his semi-final by 7 ½ lengths.

Five months older than Legacy, Tribeca (ex Elevated) has looked like a polished professional, showing scant regard for self preservation in his races to find the rail at all costs.

Whether that is a blessing or a curse from box five in the decider remains to be seen.

But what is assured is that both chasers will rapidly work through the grades and have the ability to become bonafide open grade group class greyhounds.

The Launching Pad at Sandown Park is fast approaching and it won't surprise at all to see one, if not both of them, at the pointy end of the lucrative series.

In fact, from what we've seen so far, you'd almost bet on it.