In an intensely close finish, the $2.30 favourite Cosmic Chief held off their littermate Cosmic Diva ($12.70) by a mere half-head while Corretja ($12.10) finished a further 1 ¾ lengths away in third.

Brown had two other runners in the Classic final, Cosmic Planet ($8.90), who finished a respectable fifth beaten by just over two lengths, and Cosmic Brigid ($6.20) who was a well-beaten seventh.

The $1,200 fee it cost Parkinson to nominate the four littermates for the series was more than returned as they took out not only the $60,000-to-the-winner first prize but the runner-up winnings too.

Cosmic Chief (Brett Lee x Cosmic Goddess) has now won 12 of their 27 career starts for over $100,000 in prizemoney.

NOVA SURF WINS WARRNAMBOOL CUP

The other major race at the meeting was the $28,000 Group 2 Warrnambool Cup (450m) where prolific trainer Darren McDonald’s Nova Surf coasted to an impressive victory ahead of a classy field of rivals including her two more favoured kennelmates Gardam Prince and Goodesy.

In a classic all-the-way win, Nova Surf ($7.40) beat home the speedy Heather Collins-trained bitch Arsonist ($20.80) by 4 ¼ lengths with the classy Fedex ($4.30) a further ½ length away in third.

The hot pre-race favourite Goodesy ($2.60) was a well beaten fifth behind fourth placegetter and kennelmate Gardam Prince ($7).

The win, McDonald’s second Warrnambool Cup victory after his success with Axe Handle (2007), was Nova Surf’s 18^th from 32 career starts and the $28,000 first prize elevated her total prizemoney to $95,000.

2010 Warrnambool Classic Results

2010 Warrnambool Cup Results

Eight impressive sprinters are ready to fight it out on the track tonight, including the hot pre-race favourite Cosmic Chief.

Cosmic Chief was battling for favouritism in the betting markets with the brilliant Proven Jett, but now sits as the one to beat after Proven Jett had to be scratched by distraught trainer Michael Carter.

Proven Jett has a minor tear to his chest muscle and will be out of action for a couple of weeks leaving him to miss tonight’s final.

Trained by Darren Brown, Cosmic Chief was super impressive in the qualifiers last week running a scintillating 25.37s from box one, and has already won in excess of $40,000 having won 11 of his 26 starts to date.

The striking white and black son of Brett Lee has drawn barrier three for tonight’s final, the speedy young star boasting an excellent strike rate wearing the white rug having won five and placed once in their six starts from three.

Lara-based trainer Brown has a tight stranglehold over the final tonight as Cosmic Chief is joined by three finalist kennelmates, Cosmic Brigid, Cosmic Planet and Cosmic Diva.

All four littermates are bred and raced by owner Brian Parkinson and are a product of brood bitch Cosmic Goddess’ first litter.

Cosmic Brigid, who placed a close second to Proven Jett in the opening qualifier last week, has drawn well on the rails and Cosmic Diva also has claims jumping from box seven despite being beaten by over eight lengths by Chunka Change last week.

Brown is the second trainer in the race’s history to prepare a quartet of finalists after prolific trainer Darren McDonald had Ace Hi Rumble and Perform Magic, who ran the quinealla, as well as Return The King and Where’s Hoover run in the 2005 Classic.

McDonald has no dogs in the Classic this year but has a trio of runners in the night’s other scheduled highlight, the $28,000 Group 2 Warrnambool Cup Final (450m).

Last year’s runner-up Gardam Prince (box four) and Goodesy drawn well on the outside in box eight are considered his best chances, and Nova Surf (box seven) also lines-up.

Meanwhile multiple Group 1 winner Fedex, who ran fourth last year, is Pearcedale trainer Jason Thompson’s sole chance of securing a successive hat-trick of Warrnambool Cups following his success with Hanify’s Impact last year and El Galo in 2008.

Fedex is drawn ideally with box starting beside the in-form Papa Cool in box two.

The Macey’s Bistro Warrnambool Classic Final is scheduled as race eight on tonight’s cracker 12-event programme and is due to jump at 9:38pm (VIC time) while the Warrnambool Cup takes place earlier in the night at 8:38pm as race six.

2010 Warrnambool Classic Final Field & Box Draw

Son of Hallucinate out of Toy Cuthbert, Our Toyman ($6) beat home the Gary Ennis-trained Enry Walt ($7.60) by 1 ½ lengths with Hot Price ($5) a further 1 ¾ lengths back for third.

It was a disappointing finish for the clear pre-race favourite as Darren McDonald’s Launceston Cup winner Gardam Prince ($2.80) could only manage fifth six lengths away from the winner.

Our Toyman ran a sharp 26.95 over the 480m sprint, not quite as quick as when he became the fastest qualifier in the heats last week in a blistering 26.78, but still fast enough to claim his fifth consecutive victory – the 14^th from his 38 career starts.

2010 Exchange Hotel Horsham Cup Results:

The prestigious sprint event features an elite eight-dog line up headlined by the brilliant, professional and dangerous Darren McDonald-trained Gardam Prince. Gardam Prince has displayed scintillating form of late, coming off a five-race winning streak including a smart 26.93 win in the qualifiers here last week. The son of Black Enforcer is looking to secure his second Group victory inside of a month following his Group 2 Launceston Cup win two starts back.

Gardam Prince will wear the pink rug on Sunday and has a good strike rate from box eight having won three and placed in two of his six starts with this draw.

The other highly-fancied Horsham Cup hopeful is the talented Garry Ennis-trained, multiple Group race winner Enry Walt. Although runner up in his qualifier last week, this promising youngster has secured the prized inside alley draw for Sunday, which they will enjoy, and this paired with the fact he has now had a look at the track means he will be hard to catch if he gets away well.

Our Toyman in box two is another exciting prospect coming off four successive wins. Our Toyman ran an impressive heat win last week when he overcame his awkward box five draw to beat home Dyna Obelia in a sharp 26.73. Needs some luck and to keep up the speed if he is to live up to this challenge.

Jumping beside Our Toyman in the white rug is the speedy Hot Price who defeated Enry Walt in the heats. Hot Price is known for his brilliant starts, as he proved last week when he broke records for his first two sectionals in his qualifying win. The son of Bond will be a real danger if he gets to the front early and can reproduce his tempo from last week.

Drawn poorly in box five is the Heather Collins-trained Arsonist, an up-and-coming daughter of Elite State who remains unbeaten in her five starts. Despite her dazzling career to date, which includes a Group 2 win in the DDC Launching Pad, she will need to step up and find the front early to feature here as the quality of her rivals is high.

Having a run in their first Group final is the exciting sprinter from NSW, Pulp wearing the green on Sunday. The son of Collision out of Frosty Fruits secured a great qualifying win in 26.91 here last week and will no doubt improve further on that after seeing the track. Has claims.

The Exchange Hotel Horsham Cup Final is programmed as the eight race on the night’s excellent ten-event card and is due to jump at 8:28pm (VIC time). Other highlights at the meeting include the heats for the Horsham Rural City Cup and the $6000 GRV VBIS Maiden Final (Race 6 – 7:33pm).

2010 Horsham Cup Final Field & Box Draw:

Seven heats will be run in anticipation of next week’s $28, 000 to-the-winner final with Graeme Bate, who became the first Victorian greyhound racing Hall of Fame inductee, going for his ninth Horsham Cup victory.

Bate has six of his star sprinters lining up in the heats tonight – Erocle Bale (Heat 2, Box 4), Cooper Bale (Heat 3, Box 4), Coco Bale (Heat 4, Box 3), Admiral Bale (Heat 5, Box 1), Taipan Bale (Heat 6, Box 6) and Amakler Girl (Heat 7, Box 4).

Velocette took out the Horsham Cup last year for Bate, and his other successes came with Timjim Bale (200), Kantarn Bale (2000), Lansley Bale (1998), Hay Dinney (1988), Propellant (1984), Virgo Rose (1983) and Satan’s Shroud (1982).

Heat 1 – Race 2 – 7:08pm

The opening Horsham Cup heat of the night is headlined by the brilliant Group race winner Birthday Boy drawn in seven. The Stephen Elsum-trained son of Where’s Pedro has an impressive record wearing the black rug, having won seven and placed in three of his 13 starts from box seven.

Birthday Boy will start as the odds-on favourite and will face off against the in-form Reekay Rip drawn ideally on the rails. Reekay Rip has displayed blistering form at the track lately and has won three of his past four starts including a brilliant 24.34sec win here last-start.

Other speedy dogs to watch include the Andrea Dailly-trained Dyna Obelia in box three, last-start winner Where’s Fly drawn ideally in box two and the super consistent Our Toyman who will be a big threat if they can get a clear run from their awkward box five draw.

Heat 2 – Race 3 – 7:28pm

The second heat of the night will be another close affair with Darren McDonald’s sensational sprinter Gardam Prince due to start as the favourite despite drawing box six – a box the son of Black Enforcer has only a 50% strike rate from. But the recent Group 2 Launceston Cup winner has the speed, ability and brilliant recent form (winning his past four races in succession) to lead all the way here.

A dog that may cause an upset and chase down Gardam Prince tonight is the speedy last-start Sandown Park winner Papa Cool in box two and Viva Las Vegas on the fence in box eight looks well positioned for a place.

Heat 3 – Race 4 – 7:49pm

The third Horsham Cup heat features one of the best line-ups of the night, with the likes of Atomic Voodoo, Cooper Bale, Enry Walt, Hot Price and Allen Zander all looking for the qualifying win.

Hot Price will jump as the odds-on favourite from seven, is known for his swift starts and will be hard to catch if his rivals miss the start.

Starting wide on the outside of Hot Price from box eight is the Andrea Dailly-trained Allen Zander coming off a last-start win at The Meadows. Despite not having won wearing the pink before, the son of boom sire Surf Lorian is still in for a chance tonight.

Atomic Voodoo has drawn ideally in box two and Garry Ennis’ improving chaser Enry Walt should not be discounted in box five.

Heat 4 – Race 5 – 8:09pm

Leading the way in the fourth heat of the night is another star from the kennel of Anakie trainer Andrea Dailly, Cohen Bale in box six. The lightly raced son of Big Daddy Cool is having just his eight career start and looks a solid chance to secure his sixth win coming from a smart 29.92 last start win at Sandown Park.

Other consistent and speedy dogs that may get in Cohen Bale’s way are Same As Best (box 7), Darren McDonald’s Cosmic Rumble (box 4) and Zambre Arandt in box two who loves this trip having won three from four.

Heat 5 – Race 6 – 8:28pm

Another impressive Group race winner features in the fifth heat, last-start Group 3 Launching Pad champion Arsonist. The promising Heather Collins-trained bitch defeated a classy field in the feature at Sandown Park and looks well positioned to continue her unbeaten record of four wins.

Drawn on the rails is one from the Graeme Bate contingent, Admiral Bale, who may be the dog to put an end to Arsonist’s perfect winning streak. Also keep an eye on Boozeroo in box six.

Heat 6 – Race 7 – 8:48pm

The second last heat of the night will see another of Bate’s dogs start as the favourite when his quality sprinter Taipan Bale jumps from box six. The black and white son of Solve The Puzzle has a good record wearing the green rug having won four and placed in one of his seven starts from box six. He has also displayed excellent recent form winning three, placing second twice and third once in his last six starts.

Other hot chances include Allen Chang on the inside of Taipan Bale in five and the speedy starter Shredded Cheese in box four.

Heat 7 – Race 8 – 9:08pm

The final heat of the night features a terrific field of hopefuls including last start runner-up in the Group 1 Australian Cup Galba Jack in box seven. The John Macdonald-trained son of Collide will be the one to beat if he jumps well here.

Dogs that have the pace to catch Galba Jack if he does get away early include Arvo’s Chill on the rails, and the two of Andrea Dailly’s heat seven starters, the classy Sydnie Allen in box three and Livio Bale in six.

Starting as the pre-race favourite, the Darren McDonald-trained Gardam Prince ($2.80) had a sensational run from box seven and beat home second elect Pedro Pronto ($2.90) by two lengths with youngster Sultan’s Swing ($15) a further three quarters of a length back in third.

Gardam Prince had found the lead by the first turn as the son of Black Enforcer impressed the crowds with his usual early speed and skill and maintained the front position in a stunning all-the-way win.

“He has a great first section if he gets a clear run and that’s what happened tonight, I don’t think he flew the boxes but he came out well enough,” said McDonald.

The final few metres were a thrilling duel between the top two finishers, as the local hero Pedro Pronto fought strongly but couldn’t match the brilliance of Gardam Prince, who had only raced twice before at the track.

“This win certainly justifies my faith in this dog,” McDonald said after the race.

Gardam Prince previously took out the Group 3 Devonport Cup last month in Tasmania, and his other Group victory was in the Shepparton Cup in 2009.  He now boasts an incredible winning strike rate of 71% and following Monday night’s victory has now won 32 of his 44 career starts.

McDonald will next run Gardam Prince in the Horsham Cup on March 4 & 7.

2010 Launceston Cup Results: