Group and listed races continue to roll on in the greyhound industry, so many opportunities are currently being presented to participants. What this also means, is the quality of the racing is at a standard that we have never witnessed previously. The result being a windfall for punters. It is so much easier to find winners when all the runners have exposed form, and in group racing that is always the case.
Tomorrow night, the final of the Group 2 Geelong Cup will be contested, and after several shock results in the heats last week, we have a very even field to front the starter. Winning connections will take home $50,000, and any of the eight runners to face the starter are a genuine chance of claiming first prize. If we are forced to pick, we do have a fancy for the recent Shepparton Cup winner, Substantial, trained by Anthony Azzopardi. Well suited in the pink box, he will be improved by his run last week which was his first 500 metre plus run for some time. But tread warily, it is a tough race.
Greyhound racing in South Australia at Angle Park celebrates 50 years of racing this month, and tonight three heats of the 50th Anniversary Cup, and two heats of the SA Distance Championship, will be run. It must be very disappointing for the club to only receive sufficient entries to conduct three heats of Anniversary Cup, especially when you consider the final next week will be worth $50,000 to the winner. We know the racing calendar is extremely full this month, with Geelong Cup final & Million Dollar Chase preludes this week, and Warrnambool & Grafton Cup heats next week, but for only two Victorian trained greyhounds to make the trip across the border is simply amazing. I have no doubt, that many trainers were kicking themselves when they saw the fields for the two South Australian events.
We were certainly on fire last Saturday night, narrowly missing the clean sweep with our tips, when our final selection on the night could not quite get the job done. Hopefully that form will continue tonight, and we are very confident it will.
Sandown Park Race 2 No 3 Mckeon Bale $1.80 at PlayUp – Youngster by former star NSW sprinter Feral Franky, who has been racing in great form prior to having no luck in the early stages in a heat of the Geelong Cup last Friday night before finishing sixth. She has recorded a personal best here of 29.39, which shows that she loves racing at this track and distance. Likes to find the rails early in her races and will get every chance to do so from this draw tonight. We think she is the best of the night and the banker for all your multi bets.
Sandown Park Race 9 No 2 Weblec Jet $2.50 at PlayUp – Another greyhound who experienced no luck at Geelong last week in the Cup heats, again in the dash to the first corner. Now looking for 550 metre plus we think so very well suited in this event tonight. Rarely runs a bad race, if he doesn’t win, he generally is hot on the heels of the winner. Small field of six is also ideal. Looks a very winnable race for him.
Dapto Race 7 No 4 Butterfly Angel $3.70 at PlayUp – Showed very good early speed to lead throughout in nice time here last week. Will be assisted tonight by an empty box on her immediate inside, and not a great deal of pace outside, this should allow her to find the lead again and from there she will be mighty hard to beat.
Angle Park Race 7 No 7 Aston Ulysses $2.20 at PlayUp – One of only two Victorians in the heats, he has been racing all over the nation, regardless of the distance, in the highest grade and performing super. Likes a wide draw, is very strong and performs well first up at new tracks. Just needs to hold out the eight dog early to win.
Angle Park Race 10 No 8 Weblec Mist $2.90 at PlayUp – She has experienced zero luck at her most recent starts at this track and distance, albeit in much stronger company than she meets tonight. Very talented so just needs to see clean air to show her best. Small field will assist. If she was drawn closer to the rails she would be much shorter, so take advantage, as we believe she will still win.
