Greyhound followers are again being treated to a super week of greyhound racing across the country. Last night at Wentworth Park we had the running of the semi-finals of the Group 3 Magic Maiden (520m) series plus heats of the Group 3 New Sensation (520m), tonight we have eight outstanding heats of the Group 2 Launching Pad (515m) at Sandown Park, tomorrow night, heats of the Group 2 Ballarat Cup (450m), and heats of the Group 3 Ultra Sense (520m) at Wentworth Park, then on Saturday night at Wentworth Park four semi-finals of the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg (520m) will be contested plus two heats of Group 1 Association Cup (720m).
If this was not enough, let us not forget that the first heats of the Million Dollar Chase commence on regional tracks around New South Wales, with heats being run at Gunnedah and Dapto tonight, Goulburn tomorrow, Temora on Saturday, Nowra on Monday, Bulli on Tuesday, then Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Grafton, The Gardens, Bathurst, Maitland and Gosford to follow the week after, before the Wentworth Park preludes commence on 23 April. What a series this promises to be. Finding the winners of the Launching Pad heats at Sandown Park has traditionally been a tough assignment as the nation’s best sprinters, with less than seven wins to their name, do battle. Here are our suggestions for tonight’s heats.
Race 1 No 8 Levitation $4.00 at PlayUp – Had all her 14 race starts at Sandown Park over this distance, so she knows her way around the track. And we believe it will be that experience that gets her the money here. Looking for the 7 greyhound to provide a cart across in the dash to first corner. The ex-Queenslander, Samona (2), now in the Brendan Pursell kennels at Lara, is also worth a ticket each way at nice odds. Selections: 8-2-7-1.
Race 2 No 5 Wow She’s Fast $1.70 at PlayUp – Absolute star who took on the best dogs in the country when she won The Phoenix at The Meadows in December at just her 6th race start. Runs freakish times. Yes. Selections: 5-2-8-6.
Race 3 No 2 Red Reactor $6.50 at PlayUp – Very open heat, we are selecting Red Reactor as believe he can find the lead in the run to the first bend. He is a strong dog so he should be able to hold off his chasers. Selections: 2-1-7-4.
Race 4 No 7 Amron Boy $1.90 at PlayUp – Five career starts to date, for five devastating wins, four of them at this track and distance, it makes it impossible to tip against him. The times he has recorded in those wins have been freakish, including very strong run home times. The draw is a slight worry as he has been drawing inside in all previous starts, but we think he has the class to overcome the draw. Yes. Selections: 7-5-3-2.
Race 5 No 3 Wynburn Ruby $4.60 at PlayUp – Tasmanian greyhound who hasn’t started since early January and has obviously been saved for this event as she already had the maximum six wins registered. She has recorded fast times in all her wins. Selections: 3-1-2-4.
Race 6 No 6 Cybertruck $2.50 at PlayUp – He has looked a real star in winning four of his last five starts in blistering times at The Meadows, Bendigo and Sandown. In all those wins he has displayed excellent early speed so he should be able to cross and lead. Looks a standout in this heat, and the best bet of the night, so make him your banker for all your multi bets tonight. Selections: 6-7-2-1.
Race 7 No 2 Old News $3.10 at PlayUp – Scouts extremely wide in his races so would have been much shorter in the market if he was drawn off the track, but he can still win from the unfavourable box. Has raced well at this track and distance in the past. Strong dog who finds the line well in his races. Selections: 2-1-8-6.
Race 8 No 8 Little Bit Sleek $4.20 at PlayUp – Very even heat. Former NSW trained greyhound now in the strong Greenough kennel. Has recorded a couple of fast wins at Wentworth Park so lacks nothing in ability. This draw should suit. Selections: 8-1-7-3.