It was a night of upsets last night at Sandown Park in what certainly was an enthralling evening of greyhound racing. Five heats of the Group 1 Sandown Cup (715m) were conducted, and it was the Mark Delbridge trained Jarick Bale, from what appeared to many to be an unfavourable draw in box 8, who took the time honours when he powered away for a four length victory in the opening heat, running a very fast 41.2788. Mepunga Ruby was all the rage at $1.30 in heat two, but after leading clearing from Box 1, but in a driving finish she was unable to hold out the $21 shot Orca, who had stalked her throughout. Despite being a little tardy from the boxes in heat three, Untapped ($8) found the lead with a lap remaining, and from there she set up a winning break which she held comfortably to the line, recording 41.374 in doing so. Heat four finally saw punters smiling after the event, when the well backed Collinda Lady ($2) proved too strong in the run home, after sitting close to the lead during the first half of the race, recording 41.561 on the clock. Another upset occurred in the final heat, with the $8 pop Aston Velvet racing to the lead with a lap remaining and then comfortably withholding all challengers to win by almost three lengths in 41.584. Next week’s final would seem to be a very open affair with the box draw holding the key to the chances of many.
Group racing continues tonight at Sandown Park, this time with the running of five heats of both the Harrison Dawson (515m), for the male greyhounds, and the Sapphire Crown (515m), for the female greyhounds. Both events have attracted excellent heats and appear very even on paper. We were lucky enough to steer our followers into a couple of very nice winners last night, Jarick Bale at $3.40 and Untapped at the juicy odds of $8. Let us see if we can do the same tonight.
Sandown Park Race 3 No 8 Riccarton Rick $10.00 at PlayUp – Track specialist who loves a wide draw. Should be able to sit on the speed, and with the benefit of racing recently over a middle distance, then prove too strong in the closing stages. Excellent each way odds. Selections: 8-7-3-6.
Sandown Park Race 4 No 5 Zara’s Ivan $5.50 at PlayUp – Good beginner who performed well in Sydney in recent group races before winning well at The Meadows on Saturday night. Selections: 5-1-2-4.
Sandown Park Race 5 No 1 High End $9.50 at PlayUp – Tough race with a number of dogs drawn inside out. This fellow should get a nice run along the rails from the draw. Each way odds again. Selections: 1-3-7-6.
Sandown Park Race 6 No 2 Amron Boy $1.85 at PlayUp – Star prospect who lit up the clock here last Sunday. Loves inside draw. Should lead and win. Selections: 2-3-7-5.
Sandown Park Race 7 No 5 Substantial $5.50 at PlayUp – Been racing super on the country circuit in the cups and has raced well here before. Should land on the pace despite awkward draw. Selections: 5-8-6-1.
Sandown Park Race 8 No 2 Wow She’s Fast $1.26 at PlayUp – Back to her home track, she is a star, simply leads and wins. Selections: 2-7-1-4.
Sandown Park Race 9 No 1 Idolise $1.35 at PlayUp – Already a group winner at this venue, ideally drawn, and again she should lead and win. Selections: 1-2-8-4.
Sandown Park Race 10 No 1 Love This City $4.80 at PlayUp – Excels at this venue and loves the rails draw. She looks great value, and we say make her your banker for all your multi bets tonight. Selections: 1-8-4-3.
Sandown Park Race 11 No 7 Levitation $4.80 at PlayUp – Another who does her best racing at this track and distance. Should get nice cart across early. Nice each way value. Selections: 7-2-6-8.
Sandown Park Race 12 No 2 Let’s Win Coin $6.50 at PlayUp – Performed well here during recent Launching Pad series. Has the speed to lead. Looks great each way value again. Selections: 2-1-7-6.
