Another sensational night of greyhound racing right around the country awaits punters tonight. The Dapto Megastar final, a Group 1 event worth $75,000 to the winner, leads the way and here we get to see the first time clash of the current Australasian Greyhound of the Year, Simon Told Helen, with the Nee boy on the block in Flying Ricciardo. The box draw sees them drawn beside each other in boxes 1 & 2 and this should ensure both dogs get a clear run. It is difficult to go past Simon Told Helen from box 1 and he should be able to record another group victory, edging closer to the million dollar mark in stake money.
At Albion Park in Queensland, two 520 metre finals will be run, restricted age events, both at Group 2 level, the Futurity for the girls and the Derby for the male greyhounds. The Futurity is an extremely open event, and a win from any of the runners would not surprise. Crazy Cool, drawn tonight in box 5, was outstanding in her heat when narrowly defeated after finding plenty of trouble from box 7. With a clear passage, she can salute tonight. In the Derby final, it is simply impossible to go past the star performer Farmour Beach. A winner of 11 from his last 12 starts, all in top grade, he would have started favourite regardless of the box he was to draw but drawing the red has ensured he will start very short in the market.
Meanwhile over in Tasmania, heats of Hobart Thousand, the only Group 1 event in any of the codes, will be contested. Heading up the dogs contesting the heats will be the WA superstar and Melbourne Cup placegetter Tommy Shelby who should have very little trouble taking out his heat based on his near track record trial last Thursday. The recent Sandown Shootout winner Tiggerlong Tonk looks ideally drawn in box 8 in his heat and he also should have little trouble progressing to next weeks $75,000 to the winner final.
Sandown Race 4 No 7 Secret’s Untold $3.20 at PlayUp – Awkward draw here from the 595 metre start, but this dog is a serious talent. Finally starting to put it all together, winning his last three starts, all in convincing fashion. After back to back wins up the straight at Healesville, he went to Ballarat last time out and was stunning in winning by 6 lengths in a blistering 30.59. Selections: 7-2-5-3.
Dapto Race 4 No 1 Coast Model $1.55 at PlayUp – Convincing winner at Goulburn at her only start, she is ideally drawn here to jump straight on the lure and lead throughout. Banker in your multi. Selections: 1-2-7-8.
Sandown Race 10 No 7 Squiggle Keeping $5.00 at PlayUp – Resumed from a three month injury enforced break with back to back wins at Temora and Wentworth Park, before re-joining the Jason Thompson kennels in Victoria. No luck at all last start at Sale. Has won here previously in a flying 29.17 and this field is far from being strong. Selections: 7-1-5-3.
Hobart Race 8 No 2 Aston Pilsner $5.00 at PlayUp – Victorian visitor who was runner up in the Group 3 Devonport Chase recently after winning his heat in fine fashion. In the kennel of the very astute Paul Abela, who has been frustratingly close on a number of occasions to snaring his first Group 1 winner as a trainer. We believe this fellow may break the drought for Paul, by not only winning tonight but then taking the final next week. Watch out Hobart if it does happen. Selections: 2-4-3-6.
Albion Park Race 10 No 2 What A Debacle $2.50 at PlayUp – Former NSW galloper now in the very strong Tony Brett kennel who was a recent winner at a Ipswich over the 431 metres in a very fast 24.81, leading all the way. With speed like that he can find the lead in this field without too much difficulty. Has won over 520 metres in the past. Selections: 2-4-1-3.
