SPOTTED ELK won the right to compete in The Phoenix at The Meadows on December 18 after withholding a late challenge from her litter sister at Albion Park on Thursday night to win the Queensland Flame.
Trained by husband and wife team, Graham and Leanne Hall, the win took the record of Spotted Elk to 32 starts for 16 wins and $126,000 in prizemoney. A win in The Phoenix, worth $750,000 to the winning connections, would be life changing for the Halls, as it will be to whoever is successful in the inaugural Phoenix.
Tonight at Cannington, the Greyhound Racing West Australia representative will be decided by the winner of race 9, the match race between Fernando Star, trained by Chris Halse, and Vice Grip from the Adam Smithson kennel. For Vice Grip, a win and therefore the right to represent WA, would see him return to Victoria where he was born, bred and still owned by the Four Frothies Syndicate. Both greyhounds are racing in career best form, with Fernando Star expected to lead the event. Can Vic Grip reel him? Judging by the early market, punters think so, but for us it could go either way and we would prefer to let this race slide rather than invest.
We managed to find two nice winners for the punters on Thursday, plus two very close up placings at each way odds. Even fields tonight make the task of finding winners difficult, but we believe we have identified some nice value for our followers.
The Meadows Race 5 No 2 Aston Titan $2.50 at PlayUp
The winner of 20 races from just 46 career starts, which includes a last start victory in the Group 2 Casino Group in very fast time against a quality field. Likes an inside draw, so this box should suit. A winner here in a fast 29.91 in the past, the track holds no issues. Looks the leader and the winner.
The Meadows Race 7 No 1 Music Event $1.70 at PlayUp
Star chaser who can run sensational times when he is left alone in front. Wide box draws were his undoing over the Melbourne Cup carnival at Sandown recently. Will absolutely love this rails draw tonight, and it is very hard to see him being beaten. He is short, but he does look a special.
Wentworth Park Race 6 No 1 Pazienza $3.90 at PlayUp
Smashed at the start and the first turn last week when finishing down the track. Does process a powerful finish in her races. This race looks easier than her recent starts and she will have benefited from the outing last week. She is nice each way odds and she well worth an investment tonight.
Wentworth Park Race 9 No 1 Zipping Sherry $9.50 at PlayUp
Only one previous start from this box and that resulted in a victory. Has the speed to lead from this inside draw and once in front she should be able to hold per opposition off. This field is far from strong and it really does look a suitable race for Zipping Sherry.
The Meadows Race 10 No 3 McCooly’s Lad $2.05 at PlayUp
Considered one of the fastest dogs in Australia when he is able to find the lead early. Form since returning from a long break from racing, after suffering a severe injury when in his prime, has been spasmodic. Well suited in box 3 and the field is not overly strong, we think he can find the lead and then it should be a one dog race. A real star this greyhound. We clearly rate him our best bet of the night and he should be your banker for all your multi bets tonight.
