We are at the beginning of a few weeks of very exciting racing in the greyhound industry, with the climax being on Golden Easter Egg final night at Wentworth Park on Saturday 3 April when five group races will be conducted. But it is not just New South Wales where all the focus will be over these three weeks, Victoria has heats of the Group 2 Launching Pad tonight at Sandown Park, whilst on Saturday night the Group 2 Shepparton Cup will be contested. As we said, exciting times ahead. At all began last night really, with the running of six heats of the Magic Maiden series at Wentworth Park in conditions that were far from ideal for racing with persistent rain during the whole program. Times honour went the way of the Peter Lagogione trained Lock Master, another member of the outstanding Fernando Bale – Sheez My Chicki litter includes Ice Cream Story, Teddy The Bear and One Dimension. His time of 30.07 was outstanding in the conditions and he looks the dog to beat in the three week series.
At Sandown Park tonight, the commencement of the three week Launching Pad series takes place, bringing together the most talented young greyhounds looking for a share of the $420,000 in prize money on offer together with the title of Australia’s best young dog. Eight very even heats have been drawn and finding winners will not be an easy task for punters, but we think we have identified a couple of dogs that we believe are worth investing upon.
Sandown Park Race 2 No 7 Gypsy Yankee $5.50 at PlayUp – Here we are tipping against the pre-race favourite in Silver Lake, but we believe the box manners of Gypsy Yankee can prove the difference. Even though he is resuming from an injury enforced six month spell, his recent stewards trial showed he is back to his brilliant best, and his early pace remains. He does like to use a bit of the track early so the wide draw should suit. Excellent each way value.
Sandown Park Race 3 No 8 Thursday Knight $6.50 at PlayUp – His career began in spectacular style last October, winning at The Meadows in a fast 30.19. Injuries preventing him from racing again until January, when he again won at The Meadows in a scintillating 29.63. He has recorded just the two wins from his five starts since, but one of those wins was here at Sandown in a fast 29.55 after finding early bother. We like his wide draw tonight and we think he is the best bet of the heats and our overall tip for the series. The odds on offer look very generous.
Sandown Park Race 7 No 3 Lakeview Cruiser $3.20 at PlayUp –Very talented young galloper who was strong to the line when placed third in the Group One Australian Cup final at his most recent start. Races well at this track, is a reliable beginner and drawn a heat that does not have an abundance of early speed, so this race looks ideal for him.
Sandown Park Race 10 No 8 Shima Classic $2.15 at PlayUp –She was also a finalist in the recent Australian Cup, enjoying no luck at all in the final of the big event. Her win previously in the heat of the Cup was stunning, producing an amazing first sectional before winning in a fast 29.76. This heat does lack some depth and from the wide draw that we think should suit her, she looks the winner.
Albion Park Race 3 No 7 Certification $1.60 at PlayUp – Let us down last week when he was narrowly defeated in a fast time. This field does not look to be as strong as last week, with less early speed. If he runs as well as last week, he will find himself winning this. Do not let the short odds deter you, and he is our lock for all your multi bets tonight.
