Withers Locked And Loaded For Cup Defence

STEVE Withers says he's "just trying not to break anything" as he prepares for Saturday night's Group 1 Sky Racing Perth Cup (520m) at Cannington.

Half the runners in the race are being prepared out of Withers' kennel – namely Deadly Avenger (1), Morton (3), Boracay Summer (5) and Vincent Bale (8).

Boracay Summer comes into the trophy decider as the fastest qualifier after she clocked a personal best time of 29.42 in her heat.

FIELDS AND FORM CANNINGTON SATURDAY NIGHT

The versatile dark brindle chaser has a potent combination of launching speed and running power and has won four of her past five starts but she faces a tricky task from ‘the lemon' on Saturday night.

Withers believes she can still have impact despite the draw and predicted an exciting future for the daughter of Feral Franky regardless of the result on Saturday.  

"She's got a lot of weapons," he said. 

"She's very strong. She just needs clean running, she runs good sectionals. 

"So yeah, if any opportunity comes for her, she'll be hitting the line."

Deadly Avenger produced a smart heat win in 29.53 in what was his first attempt on the Cannington circuit and then firmed into the second line of betting behind favourite Mepunga Tully after he drew the rails for the final where winning connections will take home $200,000. 

"He's only been here for a short time and is improving every time,” Withers said. 

"He had a look at the track (in the heats) and went fantastic." 

Deadly Avenger competed in the last race on heat night and Withers predicted an earlier appearance (and therefore less time waiting in the kennel) will be beneficial to the greyhound's chances in the final.   

"Race 12 was a long night for him so there's potential he could improve," he said.

Group 1 Gold Bullion winner Morton had to work hard in his heat to book his spot in the final.

He overcome a moderate start and some early race interference to power past Transcendent and Crumble Monelli in the home straight and score by a length and-a-half in 29.83.

The effort was in stark contrast to Morton's performance a week earlier in the Perth Cup Prelude, when he controlled the contest out on the lure.

Withers explained that Morton didn't settle in the boxes, which was why he didn't begin well in his heat.  

"He was probably a little bit fired up on Saturday night in the heats," Withers said.

"He played up a little bit in the boxes, just getting really rattly and revved up. 

"So hopefully third up (at Cannington) he's a little bit more calm into his business and he gets running early but getting early room is going to be the key to him.

"He's really keen and he's got the motor, he's got the ability, he just needs opportunity." 

Withers has also been performing caretaker duties on Samantha Grenfell's Vincent Bale while the greyhound has been in WA for this series. 

Vincent Bale won in 29.81 in his heat after launching from box one, which helped him to work into the race following a moderate start, but he'll jump from the other end of the draw in the trophy decider. 

"He's a lot better than what he put out there on Saturday night," Withers said.

"So a little bit of tinkering this week and tidy up a few things and they're not totally upset with box eight, they just want him to have room to move and run. 

"He's is a high-quality animal and there's a lot more in him." 

Withers is chasing back-to-back Perth Cup wins after landing the race last year with Uncle Tommy.