It promised plenty and it delivered as we hoped it would. The meeting at The Meadows last Saturday night, where three Group 1 races were conducted plus five preliminaries of the 2023 Group 1 Australian Cup. No doubt the highlight was The Temlee (525m), which saw the world record stake earner, Wow She’s Fast, collect another Group 1 when she held off her arch rival, Amron Boy, to win by a neck, with the early leader, Kelsey Bale, running a great race before fading slightly in the straight to finish a close up third. This victory took her career earnings to $2.36 million, and given the riches of racing she is likely to contest in the coming months, races like the Australian Cup, Perth Cup, The Sandgroper, and the Golden Easter Egg, she is a genuine prospect of breaking past the three million dollar barrier. Amazing. The other two Group 1 races did not disappoint either, it was Dookie Devil, who settled second early before powering away in the second half of the race, defeating the winner from last year Jarick Bale, to win the Rookie Rebel (600m). This victory provided Dookie Devil with his first success at Group 1 level, whilst in the Zoom Top (730m), the Wagga Wagga trained Stagger Out Lee made it her second victory at the highest level when she finished powerfully, as is her trait, to record a comfortable victory. It certainly was a night to remember, but it really is just the beginning, as the next two Saturday night at The Meadows, both will have plenty of great racing on offer. This week there will be eight sensational heats of the Australian Cup, where the three placegetters from The Temlee will feature in different heats, providing us with the prospect of a repeat clash in the rich final the following week. Mouth watering. Let us not forget the support act this Saturday either, three fabulous heats of the Group 1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers (730m).
Tonight we have racing at Albion Park, Dapto, Sandown Park, Warrnambool, Hobart, Angle Park and Mandurah, with the highlight being the final of the South Australia St Leger at Angle Park, which will see a nice field of promising young South Australian greyhounds do battle. Finding winners is our requirement and we think we can deliver for our followers again tonight.
Warrnambool Race 4 No 4 Charlott’s Blaze $1.90 at PlayUp – Very speedy customer. Winner of sixteen races in her career and not yet three years of age. Went close to track record at Traralgon last start over the 350 metre trip. Empty box outside her is a plus. Leads and wins.
Albion Park Race 2 No 1 Ninetymile Queen $3.10 at PlayUp – Youngster who displays tremendous talent but is still quite new to racing. Super win at this track and distance two starts back in good time, leading throughout. Followed up with a disappointing third last week, at very short odds. From the rails draw tonight, we think she can bounce back by leading all the way at nice odds.
Sandown Park Race 7 No 5 Hara’s Skipper $3.50 at PlayUp – Talent to burn this greyhound but he can be quite awkward in a field. Had zero luck in his two most recent starts, both at The Meadows, after recording two slashing wins at Sandown Park prior. Appears to race better here, and despite the poor draw, we do think he represents nice value tonight.
Sandown Park Race 8 No 5 Zoha Bale $2.70 at PlayUp – Third and final chase for this greyhound, having let us down the last two weeks, but he was unlucky on both occasions. But how many times can you go to the well. Poor draw again but he does drop out and run home hard. Will need some luck but we think he will drift to acceptable odds late in betting.
Sandown Park Race 9 No 3 Black Sail $2.70 at PlayUp – Huge drop back in class tonight for this greyhound having competed in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel last week and now finds himself in a Grade 5. Races very well at this track and despite dropping in distance we think he is clearly the best bet anywhere tonight. We expect him to start much shorter in the market than currently available.
Dapto Race 11 No 3 Slingshot Cooper $8.00 at PlayUp – Former Victorian who gets a draw close to the rails for the first time in his five starts in New South Wales. Has good early speed and rails hard, ideal for this track and distance. Excellent each way odds are available which we consider way over the top.
