MASSIVE night of greyhound racing awaits punters tonight at Albion Park, easily the biggest night on the Queensland greyhound calendar. The highlight of the program will be the final of the Group 1 Gold Bullion (520m), where the winning connections will collect the tidy sum of $200,000. But let us not forget the final of the Gold Cup (710m) for the staying greyhounds, only a Group 3 but $100,000 will await winning connections. In addition, the finals of the Queensland Short Course Championship (331m) and the Country Cup (520m) also look to be exciting races.
Last night at Ballarat, the final of the Lil Dickie Oaks (450m) and four heats of the Western Districts Derby (450m), both listed events, were conducted. Both these races continue to grow in statue, having produced some outstanding performers in the past, in fact four of the last five Melbourne Cup winners have contested the Derby. Last night in the Oaks, it was the Ben Magri trained, Ray Borda owned, Aston Samba making full use of the rails draw to score clearly from the recent Warrnambool Oaks winner Impulse Buy. Whilst in the Derby heats, it was the impeccably bred Paddy Wants Pats recording the fastest time of 24.925 in defeating Kinson Bale in the opening heat. Other heat winners were Compliance (25.097), Mepunga Mustang (25.146) and Decimate (25.088). When you add Boston Garden, Zippy Tesla and Weblec Raider, runners up in their heats, to the final field, next week’s race will be a field worthy of Group 1 status.
The selection panel at the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Club have announced the 12 greyhounds, from which the final fields will be announced on Saturday night, for their upcoming three invitational events, The Temlee (520m), Rookie Rebel (600m) and Zoom Top (725m), all of Group 1 status. These races will be conducted on Saturday February 12, the first week of the Australian Cup Carnival. Great racing ahead at The Meadows.
Let us find the punters some winners to help fill their pockets.
Albion Park – Gold Cup – Race 6 No 2 We The People $6.00 at PlayUp
West Australian stayer who put in a huge run in her heat when she made up many lengths in the run home to finish second to Hank The Hustler. Raced well at this track in her five starts since arriving in Queensland. Does get back in her races, so will need some breaks during the run, but is extremely strong. Looks excellent each way value.
Albion Park – Gold Bullion – Race 8 No 2 Jungle Deuce $2.80 at PlayUp
Star New South Wales greyhound whose win in his heat had to be seen to be believed. Great chaser who just kept on coming after meeting significant interference on several occasions in the run. We think he can lead all the way from his nice draw tonight. Looks the best bet of the night, so make him your banker for all your multi bets.
Sandown Park Race 2 No 1 Rohan Bale $3.30 at PlayUp
One of the first of the Feral Franky progeny to hit the racetrack and he has looked very promising in his two starts to date. Nice first up win in good time, at this track and distance, before having little luck here last week from a middle draw when finishing fourth. We believe this inside draw is ideal for him and we expect him to be very prominent early before proving too strong.
Albion Park Race 7 No 2 Ninetymile King $3.40 at PlayUp
No luck last start in heat of the Gold Bullion. Very powerful type who will be extremely well suited by the six-dog field here. Has a massive motor and from this nice inside draw, he should prove good for this field.
Sandown Park Race 10 No 1 Icarus Bale $3.60 at PlayUp
Taken some time learning about racing but has really put in together in last half dozen starts. Strong winner at The Meadows two starts back before very nice second to the flying Immunity at Ballarat last start. Well drawn here as the two dog uses plenty of the track. Looks a very winnable race. Looks overs.
