We trust that all our followers enjoyed a great Christmas with family and friends, it certainly is a truly wonderful time of the year. Despite there being only a few days remaining in 2022, we still have some outstanding racing remaining, no more so than at Albion Park tonight, where five heats of the Group 2 Queensland Derby (520m) and two heats of the Group 2 Queensland Futurity (520m) will be conducted. The timing of these events over the festive season is not ideal, and possibly reduces the support by interstate trainers, but a number of quality representatives from New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia will partake and are expected to perform very well.
Last Tuesday evening at Gosford, four heats of the Group 3 Gosford Gold Cup (515m) were run, and it was the mighty Lord kennels that dominated, winning three of the heats. Time honours however escaped them and it was the Jason Magri trained Zipping Novak that recorded a fast 29.23 that took that honour. The Lord trained winners were She’s A Peart (29.27), Good Odds Emma (29.32), and Punter’s Bandit (29.33), with their winning times placing them less than two lengths slower than that recorded by Zipping Novak. Following the box draw being conducted for the final, She’s A Pearl has been installed the favourite in early betting markets courtesy of drawing the coveted red box and there is no doubt she will take a power of beating from that draw. It should be mentioned that seven of the eight finalists are females, a remarkable achievement, meaning Zipping Novak will be the sole male representative in the final to be run this Tuesday.
Winners were a little difficult to find on Monday at the Sale Cup meeting, but our best bet of the night did salute which helped us quickly forget a couple of very near misses. With racing to be conducted this evening at Albion Park, Dapto, Sandown Park, Shepparton, Hobart, Angle Park and Mandurah, plus a number of meetings during the day, there is certainly plenty of opportunities for punters to finish the year on a high.
Albion Park Race 2 No 5 Kelsey Bale $1.95 at PlayUp – Star Victorian greyhound who was successful in the Group 2 Sandown Laurels at her most recent race start. Currently racing in career best form. Known to have had a refresher look at the track in a trial last week. Awkward draw but she does have great field sense and explosive mid race pace, qualities than can help overcome that draw. Yes.
Angle Park Race 5 No 3 Beck’s Monelli $2.00 at PlayUp – Will find this race a huge drop in class from what she has been competing against in Victoria recently. Racing very consistently. Does get back in her races but is very strong late. This track does look ideal for her as it is a tough run. Draw also suits as she likes to be near the rails.
Sandown Park Race 7 No 1 Collinda Chips $1.95 at PlayUp – Generally a slow beginner but does rush to the rails shortly after box rise so is ideally drawn tonight. Does have tremendous mid race pace. Last two runs in particular have been excellent. Has been knocking on the door and this does look his race tonight.
Albion Park Race 7 No 3 De Ferran $2.20 at PlayUp – Winner of fourteen races from his twenty one starts, but had zero luck at his two most recent starts in top grade fields. He will appreciate the drop back down to racing against own age class here tonight. Had a short freshen up and obviously targeted towards this event. Well drawn and we see him leading throughout. Looks stand out bet of the night, so make him your banker in all your multi bets.
Albion Park Race 8 No 2 Simply Limelight $2.05 at PlayUp – Only ever raced at Wentworth Park and Gosford, and always on top class, so tonight will be very new for this greyhound. But he is an outstanding chaser. Loves an inside draw as he does crash down at box rise. Capable of running scintillating times with a clear run. Looks a very winnable race.
Sandown Park Race 10 No 1 Flying Ability $4.40 at PlayUp – Speedy customer who is getting stronger at the end of her races recently. Drawn to lead clearly so should have a nice break coming off the back. Will probably need a mix up to occur to hold on, but at the odds on offer, and on an each way basis, she is worth an investment.
