MANY greyhound followers consider him to be the fastest dog in the world, and last Saturday night at The Meadows, the Glenn Round trained Aston Rupee showed us exactly why people think that, with a simply breathtaking win in Group 1 Temlee (525m). Beginning well from the awkward box 4, Aston Rupee was quickly up outside Idolise and Spotted Elk at the winning post the first time before assuming control into the back straight and then racing away to a stunning nine length victory in a flying 29.612, clearly best time of the evening. The win took his record to twenty-two from just thirty-nine starts and he is closing in on $600,000 in prizemoney. The win cemented his place at the top of the market for the Group 1 Australian Cup, heats of which will be run this Saturday night at The Meadows with Aston Rupee drawing box three in the third heat. We will have a full preview of that program, for all our followers, on Saturday.
Two other Group 1 events were also run at The Meadows last Saturday night, the Rookie Rebel (600m) and the Zoom Top (725m). Mark Delbridge trained his third Rookie Rebel winner, when the Brendan Wheeler owned Jarick Bale, a younger half brother to the former star middle distance performer Christo Bale, reeled in Aston Ulysses in the closing stages to score by 1.5 lengths in a very fast 34.02. This was Jarick Bale’s second Group 1 victory, having won the Sale Cup (650m) in late December. He is a very talented greyhound especially when he finds the rail in his races. Recording her third Group 1 victory in just thirty-six starts, Gypsy Wyong again proved she is the leading stayer in the country now and how she went around at almost $10 is a mystery. Owned and trained by Team Dailly at Anakie, Gypsy Wyong is a tremendous chaser and gives her all in every race she contests, and it was that will to chase and win that got her home first again. She will next contest a heat of the Group 1 Fanta Bale Stayers at The Meadows on Saturday night, where she has drawn box 7 in the second heat.
With racing across the country tonight at Albion Park, Dapto, Sandown Park, Warrnambool, Angle Park, Hobart and Cannington, there will be plenty of opportunities to punters to back a winner. Maybe the most interesting runner tonight will be at Albion Park in the opening event, when the Greg Stella trained Black Comanche will make his first appearance at headquarters. The subject of some massive offers in recent weeks, Black Comanche has drawn poorly in the five alley, but this fellow is all class. Despite having only raced three times before tonight, we have already indicated that we believe this dog can mix it with the very best in the land, and by the end of this year he could well be a household name. Good luck to connections, the sport needs new stars coming through the ranks always.
Warrnambool Race 6 No 2 Aston Merit $1.80 at PlayUp
Lightly raced speedster but super talented having won seven of his fourteen starts to race, many in very fast time. Will lead with ease in this race and despite being considered a touch vulnerable at the distance, he will have established a big enough lead to win.
Sandown Park Race 5 No 1 Emani Bale $3.50 at PlayUp
Handy middle-distance performer who races well from inside draws. Normally does get back in her races but from the rails should be a little closer early tonight. With normal luck in running, she should be winning.
Albion Park Race 4 No 8 Naughty But Nice $3.10 at PlayUp
Former Victorian who has performed well since making the move north. Previous start at the track she was disappointing, but she two wins at Casino since have been excellent. Has the speed to cross them from this wide draw in a field that does lack depth.
Dapto Race 7 No 1 Aston Ulysses $2.10 at PlayUp
Second in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel at his last start, plus he loves the red box, this combination makes this fellow the best bet of the night despite having his first run at this track. He will lead and win, simple. Make him your banker in all your multi bets tonight.
Hobart Race 9 No 8 Gracie’s Joy $2.70 at PlayUp
Strong last start winner at Launceston over the 520-metre trip. She has raced well at track previously and this draw is ideal as she does like to scout a little wide in her races. Expect her to be in the leading division throughout before proving too strong in the closing stages of the event.
