Titanic Clash Set For Queensland Futurity

GLAMOUR Queensland bitch Dam Slippery will be out to even the ledger with star Victorian Circle Of Dreams when the pair lock horns in Thursday night's Group 2 Queensland Futurity Final (520m) at Albion Park.

At Wentworth Park in early February, Circle Of Dreams landed the coveted Group 1 National Futurity Final (520m) for Angela Langton and Jeff Britton, getting the better of the Brett Hazelgrove-trained Dam Slippery by a length in the $75,000 to-the-winner classic.

WATCH: Dam Slippery's impressive heat success

WATCH: Circle Of Dreams sets the Futurity time-standard

Since their gripping group 1 encounter in Sydney, both bitches have gone on vastly different paths.

Before last Thursday's blistering 29.82 Queensland Futurity heat victory, Circle Of Dreams had faced the starter on just one occasion since her Sydney success, the group 2 Laurels winner finishing down the track to Barooga Brett in February's Group 1 Temlee invitational at The Meadows.

In stark contrast, Dam Slippery has raced another 11 times leading into her dashing 30.01 Queensland Futurity heat victory, winning seven of those, including the $40,000 to-the-winner Group 2 Richmond Oaks Final (535m) in March.

When the fields for last week's Futurity heats were released, for many, the focus quickly shifted to the likelihood of the star duo matching motors in a second Futurity final, providing they did what most had anticipated in their respective qualifiers; take care of business.

And that they did – superbly.

Registering stunning heat wins, performances that have seen Bet365 install Circle Of Dreams a $1.75 favourite ahead of Dam Slippery at $2.90, the expected dominance of the pairing sees the remainder of the field quoted double figure odds and above.

"I didn't really mind all that much where my bitch (Dam Slippery) drew, I just wanted to be inside Circle Of Dreams and thankfully that's how it's worked out," said Brett Hazelgrove on Friday.

"I probably expected her to go a litter quicker in her heat but she did get a slight check at the corner and she's done a lot of travelling recently, so it will be nice to spend the week at home and get back into the old routine."

Winner at 19 of her 36 starts, with prizemoney of $131,000, Hazelgrove told the Recorder that the daughter of Dyna Double One and Go Mini Mouse had come out of Thursday's assignment in great order, and will have a rather light week heading into the final.

"I don't like galloping them between runs so if the weather is fine she'll just stick to some swimming, she's pretty much at peak fitness now," said Hazelgrove.

"Circle Of Dreams is a very good bitch and she was too good on the night in the Sydney Futurity – hopefully we can turn the tables this time around drawn inside her – I think both bitches are of fairly similar ability so it should be a great race.

"My bitch has nailed the start at her past six or so starts and I'd say she's got a 5.48 first section in her, she went 5.50 the other night, if she can run that then she'll get every chance. It's a big thrill to win any group race but to win one at home would be even more special.

"The two do look the main chances but I've been in greyhounds long enough to know a lot can happen, especially in these big finals."

The Group 2 Fabregas-sponsored Queensland Futurity is named after Hall of famer Bogie Leigh, winner of the event back in 2003 for trainer Tony Brett and owner Les Bein.

"It would be a big thrill to win this race, she's proving herself one of the best bitches in the country and I still think she's five months away from reaching her peak. She's getting quite a following up here so it would be good to win a big one on her home track."

Group 2 Queensland Futurity Final (520m) – Albion Park 3/5/2019

1. Ripple Rumble
2. Dynamite Lucy
3. Blue Diva
4. Farmor Image
5. Dam Slippery
6. Agame
7. What About It
8. Circle Of Dreams
9. Alpha Styx
10. Isn't She Special