Last Thursday promised to be an outstanding night of racing, and it certainly delivered all that was expected, plus more. The followers of our selections would have enjoyed the night more than most, as we managed to steer them into five winners from our seven selections, with plenty of value there for the punters also. The three Group 1 finals at Sandown Park were the highlights, especially the scintillating win by the Jackie Greenough trained, Wow She’s Fast, in the Sapphire Crown (515m). Awkwardly boxed in the yellow, she began beautifully to assume control before the first turn, then proceeded to turn the event into a procession, racing away to win by eight lengths in a blistering 28.817, the second fastest time ever recorded for the distance at Sandown Park. With the win, Wow She’s Fast became the tenth greyhound in history to pass the Million dollar barrier, a fantastic effort at just her 16th career start which have resulted in eleven victories. Earlier in the evening, Rapaki Rocks certainly moved out of the shadow of his highly talented litter brother, Big Opal Rocks, when he careered away in the home straight to comfortably win the Harrison Dawson (515m) from the ever consistent Kinson Bale. After eight starts, Rapaki Rocks remained a maiden, but now after just eighteen starts he is a Group 1 winner. Amazing to say the least.
The Sandown Cup (715m) will always be remembered for the four wins by Bold Trease, commonly known as the “Warrnambool Warrior”. And on Thursday it was another Warrnambool trained greyhound, Untapped, that took out the race after leading throughout. Owned by the Team Borda Syndicate, formed as part of the 2018 Sandown National Draft, Untapped took some time to catch on to the racing game, before being sent to Dustin Drew to see if he could switch her mind on to racing. And switch on he has. Fourteen wins and almost $275,000 in prizemoney, she has given her numerous syndicate members, majority being first time greyhound owners, many thrills during her career. Tonight at Sandown Park we have the running of the annual Bill Collins Speed Star (515m), with four very even match races to be held, with the overall winner determined by the fastest time. A great concept. However, in previous years, Sandown has conducted match racing over all their three race distances, so it is extremely disappointing to see the Racecallers Speed Star (595m) and the Lizrene Speed Star (715m) deleted from the racing calendar.
Sandown Park Race 6 No 8 Mepunga Mustang $2.80 at PlayUp – Perfectly drawn in Box 8 and he has the speed to cross and lead all the way. His main danger is Do It (1), who does love a rails draw but his form of late has tapered off slightly.
Sandown Park Race 10 No 7 Omega Tyson $6.50 at PlayUp – One reason we like this dog tonight, and that is the fact he is a strong chaser in a field where not all dogs chase with the same tenacity. Only had two previous runs over this distance and both were excellent against stronger fields. Each way odds on offer so that is the way to go.
Albion Park Race 7 No 1 I’m Explosive $1.90 at PlayUp – She did the job for us last week and we think she can repeat the dose again this week, but at much shorter odds as the result of her perfect draw in the rails box. Looks the best bet of the night so the banker in all your multi bets tonight.
Sandown Park Race 11 No 1 Panda Mick $4.00 at PlayUp – Been racing with little luck of late. We think she will really appreciate the inside draw tonight as she rails nicely in her races. She is a reliable beginner and has the speed to push thru to enable her to hold the lead in this race. Once on the lure she should take a power of running down.
Angle Park Race 10 No 5 Harry $3.00 at PlayUp – Another greyhound whom we selected last week, and he delivered after being heavily backed. Harder draw tonight but it is another winnable race. This dog will continue to improve with more racing.
