With the greyhound racing focus recently switching to Victoria as they begin a two month period of group racing, headlined by the 2022 Melbourne Cup (515m) at Sandown Park and The Phoenix (525m) at The Meadows, it is great to see heats being run tonight in two states of events for the younger, up and coming dogs. In Queensland at Albion Park, four heats will be run of the Rising Stars Classic (520m), a Group 3 event, whilst at Maitland in New South Wales, six heats of the Future Stars Maiden will be contested.
The Rising Stars Classic looks an extremely hot series on paper, with a number of young greyhounds who have already made in impact on the race track in a very short space of time. With greyhounds the like of Hara’s Skye (12 wins from 23 starts), De Ferran (11 from 14), Dixie Gambles (16 from 31), Hara’s Pandora (8 from 16), Black Comanche (14 from 30), Zipping Orlando (8 from 9), Boys Light Up (9 from 12), and Zipping Lyris (10 from 21), it promises to be an outstanding series. The performed dogs appear to be spread evenly across the four heats which should make for great racing tonight.
At the other end of the scale is the Future Stars Maiden series, where thirty five greyhounds will be having their first start in a race. With the requirement to perform a trial in front of stewards prior to racing no longer in existence, selecting winners of these heats is almost impossible. But we have identified a number of greyhounds which believe have the breeding to be very fast animals, dogs such as Stunning Chick (Race 1 No 3), Nangar Zeke (R2 N3), She’s Next Level (R4 N2), Zipping Luda (R4 N4), Zipping Angie (R5 N6), and Funny Business (R6 N7). These dogs are very well bred and in the hands of good trainers, so forward showing in their heats would not surprise at all.
Sandown Park Race 1 No 1 Demon Flyer $2.70 at PlayUp – Looks an absolute special here. A winner of ten races, of which five have been at The Meadows, he jumps tonight from his favourite box, where he has three wins and a second from five starts, in a very winnable race. Qualified for this race with a strong Geelong win. Looks best bet of the night for us and the banker in all your multi bets.
Sandown Park Race 6 No 2 Keen $3.50 at PlayUp – Winner of sixteen races over the shorter trips, but has always given the impression he would run the staying trips. Get his chance from a nice inside draw. Worked home well last week after being shuffled back early, but we are expecting him to settle closer to the lead tonight, as the race does not look to have many on pace runners.
Dapto Race 6 No 5 Nordic Thunder $3.00 at PlayUp – Won both attempts at this track and distance in fine style, leading the way. He is a very reliable beginner so that helps off set the middle box here tonight. Once on the lure, it would take a special effort to run him down. Has also shown in the past, that he can come from off the speed. He does look nice odds.
Albion Park Race 6 No 8 Black Comanche $2.15 at PlayUp – Superbly drawn tonight as this dog loves to track wide around the first turn. Outstanding win last start at Ipswich is flying time against a very strong field. Performed well at this track in the past, with three wins and four placings from his seven starts. Undefeated from box 8. Yes.
Albion Park Race 10 No 4 Rothwell Chunk $5.00 at PlayUp – Had his first start on the track here last week, when he tracked very wide from an inside draw prior to finishing a close up fourth. Does have a very big motor. Will again be looking to get off the track early, but we think he has the speed to avoid trouble and hence be close to the lead. Strong dog. Looks a very nice each way bet tonight.
