THE inaugural running of The Phoenix at The Meadows last Saturday lived up to all the pre-race hype when the Kelvyn & Jackie Greenough trained youngster, Wow She’s Fast, etched her name in the record books with her three-length victory.
Trailing the Queenslander Spotted Elk around the first turn, the winner shower amazing acceleration to assume control coming off the back and then race away for a comfortable victory and bank for connections $750,000. The event turned into a great promotion for the sport with a large crowd in attendance trackside to witness the spectacle. Congratulations must go to the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association (MGRA) and Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) for initially taking the risk with this type of event and then for the overall delivery of the event, a job very well done.
Last night at The Meadows we witnessed the running of eight heats of the age restricted Silver Chief for young male greyhounds. Fastest time of the evening was recorded by the Andrea Dailly trained Zippy Tesla, who clocked 29.77, to make it back to back best of the night performances having recorded 29.60 in winning only five nights earlier. Zippy Tesla has drawn well in box 3 in the final and he does look the dog to beat after his last two performances. The final, to be run at The Meadows on Saturday January 1, is worth $100,000 to the winning connections.
Tonight, at Albion Park in Queensland, we will see the running of two Group 2 events, the Queensland Futurity Final for the females, and the Queensland Derby Final for the male greyhounds. Both finals have seen some of the country’s best youngsters qualify and selecting the winner is not an east task. In the Futurity, the unbeaten youngster Tungsten Miss will start the punters elect after drawing the coveted red alley, whilst the West Australian trained Unsee That from box 2 looks likely to start the favourite in the Derby. Both looked good in their heats and are understandably the top pick with the punters.
Meanwhile over at Angle Park, an array of finals will take place. The Flame, The Blaze, The Bonfire, The Spark, The Inferno and The Ashes, all good quality races after some very strong performances in the heats last week. Now let us see if we can find some winners for our followers.
Albion Park Race 1 No 1 Hopeful Bill $2.05 at PlayUp
Super consistent greyhound being in the money in thirty of his forty race starts which has included twelve wins. Simply loves the red box, winning four from five to date. And loves this track. This does look his race and he should kick punters off on a winning note.
Sandown Race 4 No 7 Devel Sixteen $4.60 at PlayUp
Been racing in much better class than this of late and performing well. Normally begins well and tonight she is surrounded by slow beginners so should give her the room to zoom across and find the lead. Can run some serious time when she is on the lure.
Angle Park Race 6 No 1 Stranger Times $2.50 at PlayUp
Huge talent who accelerates very quickly once he hits the ground. Should be well suited by this inside draw and has the speed to take advantage of it. Handled the step up to 530 metres comfortable last start, and from this box should be able to win again.
Warrnambool Race 8 No 1 On The Bit $1.55 at PlayUp
Outstanding record in his short career, winning nine of just fourteen race starts. All wins have been in fast time. Huge effort to score at his last start at Ballarat when he gave the leader a big start before running over him late. Loves an inside draw. Looks the best bet of the night for us, and the banker for all your multi bets tonight.
Dapto Race 11 No 1 On The Fence $1.60 at PlayUp
Lightly raced youngster who ran very well last start in much better company, when placed third at this track and distance. Shows good speed so she should hold the inside and the lead in this, and in 297 metres that is race over almost.
