Young Rob Boxed To Lead And Win Townsville Cup

FASTEST heat winner, Young Rob, only has to jump cleanly to lead throughout to win Friday night's Group 3 Townsville Cup final (498m).

That's the opinion of his owner-trainer Rob Lound.

“The one is not a quick beginner and the three can miss the start,” said Rob of Young Rob which ran 28.43 to win his heat of the Cup last Friday, the quickest of the series.

“If he jumps, nothing will beat him. And, he has been jumping of late.”

FIELDS AND FORM TOWNSVILLE FRIDAY

Lound bought Young Rob (Cosmic Chief-Izumi) from  breeder Graham James after education.

“He came straight here after break-in and has always shown plenty of ability,” said Rob.

He has started 62 times for 18 wins and 14 placings earning $53,000.

“His mother was a sprinter but this dog has always shown he would get 500 metres, and now I think he could get even 600 metres,” said Rob.

Young Rob was fourth in last year's Townsville Cup final.

“The draw this year really suits him,” said Lound.

He rates Hara's Herbie the hardest to beat in the final.

Hara's Herbie is one of two finalists for Jemma Daley, the other Hara's Skye.

Herbie won his heat in 28.70 last week and Skye went 28.59 winning her heat.

ROCKHAMPTON trainer, Ken Boody, while disappointed with his kennel star Dixie Gambles' eight box, is not ruling her out of the chances in the Cup final.

“She went into the heat very fresh last week and I was really pleased with her win,” said Boody.

“She'd had time off with a chipped stopper some time ago and then when I took her to Bundaberg in June she jarred up on the track in a couple of starts there.

“The eight on a bend start is not ideal, but here she is in a Group 2 final and it all adds to her career performances and her value.

“But, she has never won off box eight.”

Dixie Gambles has won 24 of her 46 starts and earned $98,000.

Boody is hoping the daughter of Fernando Bale-West On Jill can get a cart across the field early from Isurava and that will put her into the race.

“Let's hope she can then run onto into the placings at least,” he said.

“A win is not beyond her.”