Last Saturday we were lucky enough to witness one of the great greyhound races in modern times at Wentworth Park, when two wonderful chasers, Wow and Tommy Shelby, did battle in the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg final. And it was the West Australian, the Steve Withers trained Tommy Shelby, who came out the winner in a flying 29.27, with his connections pocketing the $250,000 winners’ purse to take his career winnings above the one million dollar mark, just the eighth greyhound in the history of the sport to achieve this. Wow was far from disgraced in finishing second, especially given the drama involving the dog in the week leading up to final which led to him being sold and changing kennels just 48 hours before the running of the event. An excellent crowd was in attendance on track, thus adding to the atmosphere something that has been lacking in the industry over the last 12 months due to COVID-19 enforced restrictions.
The run of Stanley Road in taking out the Group 1 Association Cup final earlier in the evening was simply stunning. Slow from the boxes and finding early bother, saw him toiling at the rear with a lap to travel. Making his initial move through the catching pen, he continually ran into the back of greyhounds and it was only in the last 50 metres that he saw daylight which allowed him to burst through and nail the tearaway leader, Fernando Cazz, right on the line. A real display of outstanding chasing. The Jack Smith trained up and comer Jungle Deuce, produced a stunning display of chasing in taking out the final of the Group 3 New Sensation, in a time of 29.31 only half a length slower than Tommy Shelby. The Victorians managed a small slice of the pie on offer on the night, when the Monique Whelan trained Lakeview Walter finished too well for the pacemaker Zulu Warlord, to collect the $25,000 winner’s cheque in The Ambrosoli.
Heats of the Perth Cup and the Galaxy were conducted at Cannington also last Saturday night, with the finals to be conducted this week. Following the box draw, the Perth Cup looks a very open race indeed, whilst WA staying sensation Zack Monelli looks to have a mortgage on the Galaxy. The spotlight this evening moves to Maitland where 5 heats of the Gold Cup will be conducted, however the event has been robbed of some interest this morning following the scratching of Wow. Now let us steer the punters into some winners around the nation.
Maitland Race 8 No. 3 Zulu Warlord $1.85 at PlayUp – Raced very well during the Golden Easter Egg series, finishing a close second in the consolation, The Ambrosoli, to Lakeview Walter after leading. Races well on all tracks. Should find the lead early in this and then hold them at bay.
Maitland Race 12 No. 4 Zipping Kyrgios $2.25 at PlayUp – Golden Easter Egg finalist where he was knocked out of the race early. Prior to that he had put in some sparkling runs at Wentworth Park including a win in a flying 29.47. Will get back early but what for him storming home in the straight.
Sandown Park Race 4 No. 2 Music Event $2.70 at PlayUp – Down a little on confidence at present, so will really appreciate the small field in this event. Should be able to follow the speedy Run Baba Run early and then prove too strong in the run to the line. Nangar Rust is the danger as he also does finish hard, but we think Music Event can land the money.
Sandown Park Race 8 No. 1 Radek Bale $3.00 at PlayUp – His last two wins, one at The Meadows and one at Sandown, have been outstanding, coming from well off the speed in both, picking up ground late to win running away. There is decent speed in this race, so expect him to get back early, but he has the speed and smarts to negotiate is way to victory. Looks the bet of the night for us, so structure your multi bets around him.
Murray Bridge Race 10 No. 8 Spring Vinnie $2.05 at PlayUp – Connections would have been smiling from ear to ear after his fast win last start at this track and distance, making it win number 7 at the track. Enjoys the wide box draws, so should find the lead again tonight and record yet another victory.
