Group racing returns tonight, with the running of the finals of the Group 1 Maturity Classic (525m) and Group 3 Fireball (730m) at The Meadows in Victoria, whilst at Ipswich in Queensland, four heats of the Young Guns will be run, with next week’s final being a listed event. The Maturity Classic final will no doubt be the highlight of the night, with so much attention focused on the favourite Wow She’s Fast. A winner of 13 from her 18 race starts to date, Wow She’s Fast is seeking a further Group 1 to add to her Sapphire Crown victory at Sandown in May. On that occasion she went with .03 of the Sandown track record, and many believe that she can give The Meadows track record a fright this evening from her favourable red box draw. Already a winner of in excess of $1m in career earnings, mainly thanks to victory in the inaugural running of The Phoenix, Wow She’s Fast was outstanding in her heat win last week from box 4, clearly recording the fastest heat time in running 29.56, less than 3 lengths outside a long standing track record. We think it is a given that she wins, but can she break the track record. We don’t believe so at this time of the year, with Melbourne experiencing extremely cool conditions at present. The Fireball final is a much more open event, with a number of chances in the event, with the staying ranks across the country are a little light on at present as we look for the next staying star to emerge.
On Sunday we have four heats to be run of the Group 3 Darwin Cup (537m), with the $25,000 to the winner final to be run the following Sunday. This event always attracts a number of runners from the southern states, despite the distance required to travel to compete in event, and this year is no exception. Manzu, the star West Australian performer in the Margaret Hepple kennel, already a winner of 15 from 24 starts, is our early selection to win the final. Drawn in Box 8 in his heat, he should have little trouble qualifying for the final from that box. Now for our all-important selections for racing tonight, hopefully we can continue our good form from Thursday when we provided our followers with a couple of nice, priced winners.
The Meadows Race 3 No 1 Zambora Richie $6.00 at PlayUp – We are selecting this greyhound on each way basis. He is not the best dog in the field, but he is drawn to get the breaks we think, enabling him to put himself right in the finish. Does love the inside so favoured by the draw. At the odds, he is worth a play on each way basis.
Wentworth Park Race 4 No 8 Super Estrella $1.95 at PlayUp – Star stayer who should have won the feature final at Albion Park recently, when finishing a close up second. Loves racing at this venue, she should be able to cross the field early, to enable her to lead throughout. Class greyhound who givers her all every start.
Wentworth Park Race 5 No 3 Simply Limelight $2.15 at PlayUp – Massive motor in this dog. Outstanding win here last week when held up early before storming home to record a comfortable victory. Does need to find the rails to perform at his best but should be able to from this box. We class him as the best bet of the night, so the banker for your multi bets tonight.
The Meadows Race 10 No 7 Red Reactor $3.70 at PlayUp – Recently placed in the Group 1 Vic Peters final at Wentworth Park, and now finds himself in a Grade 5 at his favourite track, with an empty box on his immediate inside. This dog has a group win in him down the track. Yes.
The Meadows Race 11 No 1 Mepunga Mustang $2.40 at PlayUp – Racing consistently of late but without much luck, hence, has not won for a while. Can be a bit hit or miss at box rise, but from this inside draw he should be able to position himself in a forward position early, then power home to record a much overdue win.
