Tough meeting at The Meadows tonight but have hopefully narrowed the fields down to some genuine winning hopes.
Weekend meetings in Melbourne are providing tough to find value at the moment with group races in Sydney and quite a few of the A-grade dogs opting to stay home in Melbourne rather than make the arduous three-week trek to Wentworth Park.
If the industry are aiming at having the best dogs at the biggest races then I think they need to give all longer series a serious re-think for the good of the dogs and all industry participants. Anyway enough of the politics- let’s find some winners
Race 1 – We kick off the meeting with a handicap race over the 725. Hard to get an accurate gauge on the entire field as this has a few runners having their first go over this distance at The Meadows and in particular the handicap boxing. The handicapping seems to map pretty well for Aston Harvey (number 1) and he is a proven dog at the distance. I’m hoping he can park in just behind the leaders early and be too strong late. Aston Harvey to Win
Race 2 – Lektra Stomp (number 1) has a fair bit on these dogs and blew them away in his last start win. Isn’t super out early however, most of his opposition don’t seem to be either. He looks to have 600m written all over him in the future but running 29:88 in only your 4th start is ultra-impressive. I think he should win this race given clear running but is currently short enough $1.90 Lektra Stomp to win
Race 3 – I am going to have something each way on a roughie in this race in Jake (number 5). This isn’t the greatest race on paper and he is no star but he beat home West on Xandi (box 1) two starts ago and that dog is currently $2.20 favourite on the corporates. I think the 4 will beat Jake out clearly and give our dog Jake plenty of room to get going. He is a bigger dog and will need the room but I think the $8 on offer is over the odds. Jake each way
Race 4 – Last start winner Van Ann (Number 4) was a good last start winner. There isn’t much in this race and if he repeats that effort then I think he can win. Van Ann to win
Race 5 – Not going to have a bet here but a very keen interest in this race. Jesaulenko (number 7) should have won last years Melbourne Cup if not for turning his head at the winner in the closing stages and Bewildering (number 6) could be the most exciting young dog in the country at the moment. Bewildering went around the short odds on favourite in his last start group 1 final but fluffed the start. If he is back to his best then I think this son of Black Magic Opal can beat Jesaulenko but any mistakes will be costly. I’m just happy to be a greyhound fan for this race and watch two of the most exciting dogs in the country battle it out.
Race 7 – Reefton Treasure (number 4) had absolutely no luck last week but if we can get somewhere around the $2 mark tonight then we will back him again. Doesn’t give himself the best chance being slow out but is easily the best 600m dog in the race and with a clear run should be too zippy for these. Reefton Treasure to win (if not too short)
Race 9 – The favourite Princess Pout (number 1) should win if she steps cleanly, she has been racing in much tougher company than this and has run good races against genuine topliners- the drop in grade will be appreciated. She usually goes right with her first few steps from box rise which concerns me a little out of box 1 but I think she still has enough early speed to hold her line into the first turn and the $2.50 on offer now seems a fair price Princess Pout the win
Race 11 – Jet Hawk (number 1) has been screaming for the inside and tonight he gets it. I think he could be too good for these ones if he can lead. I am a little cautious of Sooty Epsom (number 5) who hasn’t been up to his best the past couple of starts but has been very competitive against much better opposition than this and is at very good each way odds. Jet Hawk to win (and maybe a small hedge bet each way on Sooty Epsom)
Best Bet – Van Ann (Race 4)
Best Roughie – Jake (Race 3)
Quaddie races 5,6,7,8- 6,7/1,2,3,5/1,4,7/1,2,3,5