Interstate Stayers Dominate Gold Cup Heats

INTERSTATE stars came to the fore in the three heats of the $113,000 Group 1 Garrard's Gold Cup (710m) for the stayers at Albion Park on Thursday night.

Each of the heat winners benefited from a run in the Clem Jones Cup last week headed by Here's Tears which set the benchmark with a 41.72 clip.

"I was pleased with his run last week, it would have been nice to win but we got him here early to top him up for tonight and it's clearly had an effect," Britton said.

"He was able to roll to the front and when he gets to the lead, he's just able to maintain a pace not many can keep up over the trip.

"Hopefully he's up there early again next week and really making the backmarkers work overtime to run him down."

Brisbane trainer Darren Johnstone was rapt with the run of Maggie Moo Moo to finish second.

Having just her second run over the staying trip she was taking ground late off the winner and will be joined in the final by Burnt Ends which stuck on well for third.

It was a double dose of success for the Dailly kennel after Sunset Bourbski came from the clouds to win her heat in 41.78.

Tom Dailly had expressed concern about her inside draw given her racing pattern of getting to the outside and roaring around dogs, but when she was able to extricate herself off the fence early, she looked the winner a long way out.

She claimed the leaders a long way out to finish three and a half clear of Clem Jones Cup winner Big Boy Bruce for Ray Burman and Let's See for New South Wales trainer Mark Davidson.

With Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria already represented in next week's final it was left to Sir Truculent in the final heat to add a South Australian flavour.

In the hands of Tony Brett for his Brisbane campaign, the SA stayer was brilliant in storming home to victory.

"Wally (Harkins) just wanted the run in him last week, he needed to get up here and have a good blow and you saw the benefit this week," Brett said.

"He's settled in like one of our own at home and I really liked his chances coming into tonight. There were a lot of good dogs in the field, but none that run the trip like him.

"He'll need to camp a bit closer next week and if he does he can really turn the screws in the middle and latter stages."

Box Draw: Group 1 Garrard's Gold Cup (710m)

1. Sir Truculant
2. Burnt Ends
3. Floral Lace
4. Here's Tears
5. Maggie Moo Moo
6. Big Boy Bruce
7. Sunset Bourbski
8. Let's See
9. Classy Ethics
10. Waikaire Bell