Ennis banks on rising star Barooga Jim in Ballarat Cup

AVALON trainer Brooke Ennis will head into Saturday night’s Group 2 Sportsbet Ballarat Cup with three strong contenders, but it’s rising star Barooga Jim she believes is the kennel’s best chance of claiming the $40,000 winner’s cheque.

Barooga Jim has had just 17 career starts and enters the Sportsbet Ballarat Cup unbeaten in his past two runs.

He has had just 17 career starts and enters the Cup final unbeaten in his past two runs. He has come up with box eight, a draw Ennis said could set him up for his first group race breakthrough.

“I’m really happy to get the wide draw,” Ennis said.

“He has always had the ability, but he’s finally putting it all together, which is exciting.

“If Galento (box 7) crosses to the fence like he did in the heat, I can see the race really opening up for Barooga Jim.”

Barooga Jim also carries sentimental value for the Ennis kennel.

His mother Amron Lass is a sister to Ennis’s star performer Amron Boy.

Ennis’s second Ballarat Cup hopeful is Tribeca, who is three starts into his comeback from an injury-enforced spell, returning with two wins and a second.

“I’m really happy with his run. Anyone who knows him understands how much he loves box one, but he had a lot of pressure [Monday] night and proved he’s all guts and all heart,” Ennis said.

Tribeca has drawn box four and will have emerging talent Off The Chart drawn immediately to his outside.

“It’s going to be hard for Tribeca to go with Off The Chart and Sharapova Star (box 1) early – he doesn’t have that same early pace,” Ennis admitted.

Ennis’s third contender Robinson is a greyhound with genuine talent, though one known for inconsistency.

“He raced well last night, and to get as close as he did on the line to a dog like Off The Chart was great to see,” she said.

“He’ll be better for the run.”

Another well supported runner is Sharapova Star, trained at Avalon by Tina Womann.

She is set to jump from the prized rails draw, and with her trademark early speed, she is expected to be prominent from the outset.

Saturday night’s program at the Ballarat Greyhounds offers plenty beyond the Cup, including an appearance from former Hawthorn and Gold Coast Suns star Campbell Brown, plus chances for fans to win cash in the RCF1 Grand Prix and Community Club Challenge.

For more information, visit grv.org.au.