The inaugural New South Wales Country Classic for middle distance greyhounds, which commenced last Monday at Bathurst, and culminates at Dubbo on March 19 with a $125,000 to the winner final, will continue tonight at The Gardens and Grafton. In total, eight heats will be run across regional venue of NSW, with the first four from each regional heat qualifying for the semi-finals to be held at Dubbo on March 12, with the first two from each semi-final then advancing to the final. Bathurst, Nowra, Gosford and Dubbo heats were conducted during the week, The Gardens and Grafton tonight, Temora tomorrow, with the final heat to be run at Nowra, replacing the abandoned Dapto meeting from Thursday. When you look at some of the high-class greyhounds that have already qualified for the semi-finals, dogs the calibre of Chase Me Honey, Bandit Ned, Sunburst, Zipping Alabama, Zipping Kyrgios, Billy Creek and Jarick Bale, we are guaranteed of two sensational nights of racing at Dubbo. Let us attempt to steer punters into the winner of the two regional heats being contested tonight.
Grafton Race 8 No 8 Line Of Quality $3.60 at PlayUp – Very strong stayer who will be ideally suited by the long straights of the Grafton track. He does get back early in his races but will be finding the line harder than anything else in this race. Capable of going all the way in this series.
Racing is starting to heat up in West Australia also, with several Victorian greyhounds engaged tonight in the lead up to the running of the heats of two Group 1 events, the Perth Cup (520m) and The Galaxy (715m), next Saturday night at Cannington. It will be interesting to see how last weeks’ Australian Cup winner Lala Kiwi, plus the stayers Knicks Bale and Gypsy Wyong, handle the tight Cannington venue, but generally greyhounds of their class adapt very readily. The Meadows and Wentworth Park also have excellent cards of racing on offer tonight, so hopefully we have identified several winners for our followers.
The Meadows Race 2 No 3 Red Reactor $1.80 at PlayUp – Very lightly raced youngster who was outstanding here last Saturday night when narrowly defeated in the final of the rich Vic Bred Maiden series. Will be able to find the lead tonight from this draw and that should be the race. He looks the standout bet of the night for us, so make him your banker in all your multi bets.
The Meadows Race 5 No 3 Aston Marvel $7.50 at PlayUp – He has been racing with limited luck in recent weeks but has still been there about in his races. Stepping up to 600 metres for the first time but has given the impression he will be well suited by the trip. Looks the rails also so the box draw is a plus. Very nice each way odds.
Wentworth Park Race 6 No 7 Booby The Brute $5.00 at PlayUp – Significant improvement last week to win well at his second appearance here since moving kennels from Victoria. We are expecting him to be even further improved by that run and think he can repeat the dose in a field that is slightly stronger. Yes.
Wentworth Park Race 9 No 6 Cowgirl Ethics $2.60 at PlayUp – Another who well here last week, and we are expecting the same again. Empty box on her immediate inside is a massive bonus for her. She does have excellent early speed, so we think she can lead and win again.
Cannington Race 3 No 1 West On Radar $3.60 at PlayUp – Excellent record from this box, winning four races from his seven attempts and was placed twice also. Rails hard. He should hold the lead from the draw. This field is not near as strong as the field he raced against last week, we think he will appreciate this and win.
