AN outstanding night of greyhound racing awaits punters across the country tonight highlighted by the running of the Group 2 Ipswich Cup final and the Group 3 Shootout at Sandown Park. Supporting the Shootout, eight preludes of the Melbourne Cup will also be contested at Sandown Park making it one of the best overall programs seen at the track for the year. Added to this, we have three heats of the Group 3 Brian Johnstone Memorial at Angle Park in South Australia, plus two heats of the New South Wales Middle Distance Championship at Dapto, over the 600 metres, another Group 3 event. Both of these finals will be contested next Thursday night.
The Ipswich Cup looks a very open race with at least three genuine winning chances, and that does not include the fastest heat winner Spring Kono. We have narrowed the chances down to Extra Malt (2), Louis Rumble (4), and Spotted Elk (8), who is a kennel mate to Extra Malt. From the draw, we really like Extra Malt, she is a class act and a great chaser. Her form of late has simply been outstanding and she deserves a group victory on her resume.
The Shootout at Sandown Park, displays different type of racing to the punters, being just a 4 dog contest. The dog dubbed the “fastest dog on the planet”, Aston Rupee, will go around a well-deserved favourite, based on the fact he is the track record holder, and then a brilliant winner of the Group 1 Top Gun at The Meadows last Saturday night. He is just racing so well it is hard to see him getting beaten. But the other three runners are all stars in their own right, Lakeview Walter, McCooly’s Lad and the veteran chaser Tiggerlong Tong, who gave Rupee an awful fright in the Top Gun when he lead clearly only to be cut down in the home straight. What a race it promises to be.
Last Saturday we certainly filled the pockets of our followers when our best bet, Myrtle Monelli, saluted at Cannington at the juicy odds of $7. A nice fill up. Let us see if we can repeat this again tonight.
Sandown Park Race 1 No 1 Weblec Raider $2.50 at PlayUp
Drawn perfectly in box one as he loves an inside draw, but the advantage of the draw is further enhanced by the fact the dog in box 2, Aussie Secret, loves to use plenty of the track. Despite there being lots of speed in the race, we believe Raider can hold the lead and then prove too strong in the closing stages.
Ipswich Race 3 No 1 Special Cyndie $3.70 at PlayUp
Performed well from inside draws in the past and we can see her finding the lead in the short run to the first corner. Talented dog who is never far away, winning nine races already in her short career. May get out to each way odds.
Angle Park Race 3 No 5 Earthworm Jim $1.50 at PlayUp
Very talented youngster who has done all his racing in Victoria to date, where he has recorded some very fast wins. Zero luck at Sandown at his latest run. Looks classed above his rivals here. Regarded as the best bet of the night, and despite being short, ensure you have him as your banker in all your multi bets tonight.
Dapto Race 6 No 2 Ice Cream Story $2.90 at PlayUp
Star performer who has won thirteen races to date, many in top grades and in fast times. Finished third at The Meadows last Saturday night after finding early trouble. Back to her home territory she will be more at home. This series looks ideal for her and we think she will be winning this race.
Sandown Park Race 11 No 4 Lots Of Chatter $2.60 at PlayUp
Despite the awkward drawn, we believe he can find the lead in this event and take a lot of beating. He has been very good of late, in top grade races, from really tough draws also. Very speedy early if given some room. Getting on a little in years but racing in career best form.
