The Frank Hurst-trained chaser Zulu Zeus is a $2.20 favourite with Sportingbet to win the Group 1 Sportingbet Megastar at the world famous Dapto Dogs next Friday.

The 2013 Sportingbet Megastar is the first ever Group 1 race, of any code, run in the Illawarra region of NSW.

Zulu Zeus, a son of champion stud dog Where’s Pedro, set the Dapto track alight on Thursday night when breaking the track record in a solo trial by stopping the clock at 29.46.

“He’s an absolute flying machine and drawing the 8 box allows him to balance up and charge into the all-important first turn,” Sportingbet Australia spokesman Andrew Brown said.

“With steady beginner Amadeus Strikes in box 7 and Mexico City, who crashes left, drawn 6, Zulu Zeus looks to have drawn perfectly for the $100,000 event,” Brown said

“Punters clearly think Zulu Zeus will be tough to beat and they snapped up the $2.30 we went up with on Friday morning,” Brown said.

Victorian visitor Proven Nitro drew the prized box 1 with Queensland superstar Glen Gallon in box 3 and they sit on the second line of betting at $5.50 with Sportingbet, ahead of National Derby winner Jagger Swagger at $7.50.

Sportingbet is also offering its popular Best Tote Plus on the Sportingbet Megastar, where punters can take advantage of the best dividend of the three TABs plus an additional 5% boost to winnings.

2013 Sportingbet Megastar
Sportingbet Australia market
Zulu Zeus $2.20
Proven Nitro $5.50
Glen Gallon $5.50
Jagger Swagger $7.50
Double Twist $9.50
Peter Rocket $9.50
Amadeus Strikes $16.00
Dainty Banquet (res) $16.00
Mexico City $21.00
Magic Moves (res) $61.00