"The quality of the greyhounds is second-to-none for the cup meet this year," he said.

He feels the $67,000 cup, a group two race, would match the quality of any group one in Australia.

"In general the Warrnambool Cup is held in high regard in the greyhound industry," he said.

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Monigatti also noted the timing of the event meant there wasn't competition from group one races during the heats and finals.

"It allows us to have great dogs from all the over the country come along," he said.

Jeff Britton-trained, Mepunga Warrior, is the south-west's sole cup hope.

"We normally only get one in there," Monigatti said.

"It comes back to the same thing, the best quality greyhounds going around come to Warrnambool.

"It's hard to get locals into the final. It's a hard race to win."

Shima Shine, the fastest in last week's heats, enters the 8.38pm final as favourite.

Monigatti noted in-form competitors Tiggerlong Tonk and Ferdinand Boy had missed out on the cup final - an indication of how strong the field was.

He explained the former won Perth Cup last month while the latter won the Shepparton and Ballarat cups in the past month.

The pair still have the chance to dazzle spectators as they will face-off in a special Cup Night Match Race with $10,000 up for grabs.

Otherwise, the club's welcoming crowds back to the cup this year after the coronavirus pandemic ruled that out last year.

Monigatti is looking forward to having a great atmosphere at the track.

He said pre-booked tickets could still be purchased and that would cease at some stage tomorrow.

The manager emphasised the club wanted everyone to pre-book.

Pre-booked tickets are just one of the COVIDSafe measures the club has in place to ensure a safe environment.

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