Rewind wins last year's cup
TASMANIAN greyhound authority Greg Fahey believes Devonport Cup favourite Rewind can be placed on the same pedestal as True Vintage and Mystery Bridge if he is successful this afternoon.
``I rate True Vintage and Mystery Bridge as Tasmania's two greatest greyhounds and Rewind is not far behind them,'' Fahey said.
Rewind is attempting to become the first greyhound in the 60-year history of the Devonport Cup to win the race twice.
``He's having his 80th start and is aiming for his 50th win, which is a remarkable record,'' Fahey said.
Rewind is the $2.25 favourite to win the cup again this afternoon and Fahey rates it a race between three _ with Victorian-trained Allen Benji and Burnt Fuse the other two chances.
``Everything points towards Rewind as he holds the race record of 25.31 set last year and has won 18 of his 25 starts at Devonport,'' Fahey said.
Rewind is trained at Bracknell by Maurie Strickland and victory this afternoon would be some consolation for his narrow second in the Hobart Thousand last month.
``He's ran second in the Hobart Thousand twice which is a mighty effort as it is recognised as one of the top group 1 events in Australia,'' Fahey said.
The nation's top trainer, Graeme Bate, has two representatives in the Devonport Cup final with Allen Benji the second favourite at $3.50 and $9 chance Schroder Bale.
``Allen Benji has won 25 races from 49 starts and ran a quick time of 25.69 last week at his first start on the Devonport track,'' Fahey said.
Burnt Fuse joined the Brighton kennels of Brendan Pursell before the Hobart Thousand after previously racing in Victoria where he had won on 14 different tracks.
``He ran quicker earlier sectionals than Rewind last week and will be prominent but I've no doubt Rewind will be finishing strongly,'' Fahey said.
The other feature today is the Angus Evans Memorial, which has drawn together seven of the eight placegetters from last week's cup heats.
Bergemeister is predicted to be hardest to beat provided he puts it all together.