Back to some sort of normality tonight, after the excitement of Thursday, when we witnessed the running of the finals, in each state, of the National Sprint and Distance Championships. Some results went as predicted, mixed in with a couple of major upsets, but what we did have was great racing across the board. One of the highlights was in Victoria, where Trainer Jeff Britton trained the winners of both the distance, Hank The Hustler, and the sprint, Mr Fix It, in a wonderful training performance. Both greyhounds found the front early and proved too strong for the opposition. At Dapto in New South Wales, it was veteran trainer Frank Hurst in the spotlight again, producing 22 month old Good Odds Cash to take out the sprint title by leading throughout, whilst in the distance event it was the David Smith trained Super Estrella, making her distance debut, who overcame early trouble to record a gutsy win. Maggie Moo Moo (distance) and Farmor Beach (sprint) both looked the winner a long way from home at Albion Park in Queensland after putting themselves in a good position early in their races.
Fantastic Radley made it nine straight at Murray Bridge in taking out the SA Distance title, after an uncharacteristic slow beginning, whilst Rushes took full advantage of an early jumble up and career away to an easy victory, in the sprint. Rank outsider, the Enzo Crudeli trained Wicked Rhythm, jumped straight to the front at Cannington, in taking out the WA Distance title. Things did not improve for punters in the sprint event wither, with the $17 Sunset Toxic also leading throughout to cause another boilover. In Tasmania, the heavily supported Trying Again took full advantage of the waywardness of another runner in winning the sprint, whilst Dewana Whatever ran out a five length winner in the distance final. Finally over in New Zealand, Know Keeper caused a minor upset in winning the sprint, with the short priced It’s A Blaze getting too far back early. Punters fared no better in the distance title, with outside, Claws In Leo, finishing well in the straight in recording a comfortable three length victory over the distance. Winners were hard to find on Thursday from our point of view, but we are very confident about tonight.
Sandown Park Race 2 No 8 Don’t Tell Bluey $1.70 at PlayUp – Outstanding winner last week in a maiden final at the track and distance, running a very fast 29.42. Has great early speed, which you need from box 8 here, so he should find the lead and win again. Looks a dog to follow long term.
Bulli Race 5 No 8 Broken Drum $3.50 at PlayUp – Recently resumed at the Richmond straight, after a three month break, with an excellent second in track record time. Showed he is close to his previous best, which has seen him the winner of nine races and being placed another thirteen times. Should handle the wide draw here, and this race does look ideal for him tonight.
Sandown Park Race 6 No 6 Bobby The Brute $2.90 at PlayUp – No luck last start in a heat of the National Sprint, behind Mr Fix It, when finishing well down the track. Excellent form his previous three runs upon resuming from a long break. He will find this race much more to his liking, and providing he misses any trouble at the first corner, he should be winning this.
Bulli Race 10 No 1 Tarawi Red $2.15 at PlayUp – Resuming from a six week break tonight, but he has shown enormous potential in his three previous runs, which included a fast 30.05 maiden win at Wentworth Park. Clashes with another fast youngster, Lock Master, but we believe the red box will be the difference.
Cannington Race 3 No 4 Beck’s Monelli $2.70 at PlayUp – Saving the best to last. Massive run last week over the 600 metres when narrowly defeated, and the step back up to the 715 metres will suit perfectly. She is our best of the night, take all your multi bets around her. Yes.
