Happy New Year to all our followers and may the punting gods be extremely kind to you in 2023.
The first group race of the year was run and won on Tuesday, when Punter’s Bandit provided Jodie and Andy Lord with yet another feature race win when she proved too strong in the Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup (515m). The least fancied of the three runners representing the Lord kennel in the final, Punter’s Bandits task was made much easier at box rise when the short priced favourite She’s A Pearl appeared to slip exiting the boxes and immediately found herself at the tail of the field. Punter’s Bandit and She’s A Pearl are owned in the same interests, so it was a bitter, sweet experience for connections as they watched Punter’s Bandit record her initial group victory whilst her millionaire kennel mate failed to recover from the mishap at box rise.
The focus of attention switches tonight to Albion Park with the finals of the Group 2 Golden Sands (600m), the Group 2 Queensland Derby (520m), an age restricted race for male greyhounds, and the Group 2 Futurity Classic (520m), also an age restricted race but for female greyhounds. The greyhounds that have qualified for all three finals are of the highest quality, making the task of selecting a winner extremely tough. But that is out duty, and we are confident we have nailed them. Aside from the three group races tonight at Albion Park, a very strong support programme is scheduled, especially the Best 8 (520m) which will see another clash between two stars of Queensland racing in Orchestrate and Shipwreck, making it a race which will attract a lot of attention. Elsewhere tonight we have racing at Dapto, Sandown Park, Warrnambool, Angle Park, Hobart and Mandurah, so plenty of opportunities to find a winner for our followers.
Sandown Park Race 2 No 7 Call Waiting $2.45 at PlayUp – A winner of two of his only three race starts, including a brilliant win at this track and distance on Sunday in 29.50. Will need to begin well from the wide draw tonight across the field but it does look to be a race that is devoid of early speed. A repeat of his run on Sunday will see him winning this race again tonight.
Albion Park Race 6 No 2 Hara’s Pandora $3.10 at PlayUp – Much better than her recent form reads on paper, with all her recent being in top company from horror draws. Her heat run was excellent, from box 8, she was caught wide and checked at the first corner, so she did a great job to recover so well to finish a nice third in fast time. Inside draw tonight is huge bonus, and we can see her leading all the way.
Sandown Park Race 7 No 2 Springview Noah $3.30 at PlayUp – This greyhound has experienced a horror run of box draws, continually drawing wide boxes when he grows a leg when drawn close to the rails, as evidenced with his sparkling win at Sale last start when he drew box 2. Another inside box tonight should see him be able to gain a forward position early and then use his enormous mid race speed to put a space on his rivals by mid race. Looks the best bet of the night and therefore your banker for any multi bet.
Albion Park Race 7 No 2 Milligan $10.00 at PlayUp – We have selected this greyhound on a number of occasions, with mixed success as he is a greyhound that gets back in the field and hence requires some luck in transit. We like where he is drawn tonight, close to the rails, and can see him getting a run along the rails and into the race quite early. He is very strong, and at the odds available, he represents excellent each way value.
Albion Park Race 8 No 1 Hara’s Herbie $2.50 at PlayUp – Potential super star performer and already a proven group performer having taken out the Group 2 Ipswich Gold Cup in December. Loves an inside draw and has the speed to take advantage of it here. Very strong heat win from a wide draw, and he will have benefitted from that run, his first for three weeks. Yes.
Angle Park Race 12 No 4 Weblec Nova $2.45 at PlayUp – Overdue for a win after being placed in her last three runs at this track and distance. Very genuine and very consistent. This does look a very winnable race for her tonight so gets her chance to record a well deserved victory.
