After a truly amazing race meeting at Wentworth Park last Saturday night, where we got to witness five group races on the one program, the focus moves to Victoria tonight where at Sandown Park will be see the running of the Group 2 Launching Pad Final (515m), and doesn’t it promise to be a wonderful race. The Golden Easter Egg (520m) always delivers something special each year, with this year being no different, when the Jodie Lord trained, She’s A Pearl chalked up her ninth consecutive win when she recorded a comfortable three length victory in the final. She didn’t begin with her normal brilliance on the final and was led to the first corner, but it made no difference to the result, she was simply too good for her opposition. Having recorded clearly the fastest times in the heats and semi-finals of the event, the result in the final confirmed her status as the best greyhound currently racing in New South Wales.
In the other Group 1 final conducted that night, the Association Cup (720m), the Team Dailly trained Gypsy Wyong recorded her fourth Group 1 win of her relatively short career, when she came from behind her fellow Victorian, Mepunga Ruby, to win comfortably. Four Group 1’s is a remarkable achievement, but she remains under rated in the eyes of the punting public as she continues to go around at amazing odds, starting at $16 on Saturday night. No doubt she starts at nice odds because of the fact, in all four group victories, she has never once been successful in the heat of the event, always qualifying by running second or third in the heat. Obviously either Danes her best for the final or is just trained to the minute by Team Dailly to perform at her best in finals. The win of the Jason Magri trained Zipping Novak, in the final of the Magic Maiden (G3) series, should not go unmentioned. Only 20 months old, this fawn son of Zulu Zeus, made it three wins from his three career starts, winning by almost 6 lengths in a time of 29.65, which proved to be the best time of the night. When you consider the quality of the greyhounds that competed at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, for a young dog to record the fastest time, confirms how good this youngster is. Plenty more wins are in store for Zipping Novak. The Launching Pad final at Sandown tonight is a very even race thanks to the box draw. No doubt most people consider Wow She’s Fast as the fastest greyhound in the field, but when she came up with box 7, the final was thrown wide open. What a race it promises to be, let us see if we can find the winner of that race plus our best across the nation tonight.
Sandown Park – Launching Pad Final Race 8 No 1 Dusty Bourbski $4.20 at PlayUp – Outstanding wins in both his heat and semi-final, leading all the way in both races after nailing the start. If he can begin the same again then he leads clearly from Plaintiff (2). Box manners win races in these big events. Wow She’s Fast (7) will be steaming home late. Expect a forward showing from Samona (6) at huge odds. Selections: 1-7-2-6.
Sandown Park Race 2 No 2 Belle Violin $4.60 at PlayUp – Extremely talented dog who experienced no luck during the Launching Pad series. Will find this event much more to his liking. Well drawn near the rails and has good speed from the boxes so should position in the first two early. Strong in the closing stages. Nice each way odds.
Ipswich Race 8 No 2 Ninetymile King $2.70 at PlayUp – Resumed from a short break here last week when a fast finishing fourth, after having zero luck around the first bend. Does get back in his races so the six dog field is a real bonus. Extremely powerful finisher who wins races from almost impossible positions. Looks the best bet of the night, so your banker in all your multi bets.
Dapto Race 8 No 4 Ritza Donna $3.60 at PlayUp – Winner of five races at this track and distance including the Group 1 Dapto Megastar. Simply loves the track. Awkward draw but she will find a way to the rails and steam home late. Nice odds being offered.
Sandown Park Race 12 No 2 Well Grounded $3.80 at PlayUp – Approaching veteran age but still racing so well and very consistently. Finished in the money twenty times from thirty three starts at this track and distance. Has nice speed and looks well drawn. Yes.
Angle Park Race 9 No 2 Run Like Jess $3.30 at PlayUp – Class galloper of the field who is getting on in years. Winner of 27 races so does look well graded in this. Races well when drawn near rails. Should lead and win.
