Allen Harper, Bekim Bale, Cape Hawke and Radley Bale are the four greyhound gun slingers that will contest the 2011 $40,000 winner-takes-all Macro Meats Shootout.
Allen Harper comes into the Group 3 feature on the back of his last start win in the Group 1 Sky Racing Topgun, and has already won more than $200,000 in just 20 career starts. The two time Group 1 winner has yet to race at Sandown Park but does boast a 29.58 seconds best time at Wentworth Park, 29.82 at the Meadows, and 29.47 at Angle Park.
Trained by master mentor Graeme Bate, Allen Harper will join kennel mate Radley Bale as Bate attempts to win a second Macro Meats Shootout, following his success with Velocette in 2009.
Radley Bale has been one of the best chasers of 2011, having won the Golden Easter Egg in April, and running second in the Group 1 Adelaide Cup and Group 1 Top Gun in his last two starts. Radley Bale has won 32 races in his 83 start career – 17 of which in the best time of the night – and has 11 wins from 25 starts at Sandown Park. Radley Bale boasts an impressive best time of 29.29 at Sandown Park.
Track record holder Bekim Bale will contest his first Group final at just his eighth career start. The only greyhound to break 29 seconds at Sandown Park – lowering the mark to 28.96 – Bekim Bale has won four of his five starts at the Lightwood Road circuit and comes into the final following a blistering 29.69 second win at The Meadows last Saturday night.
Cape Hawke rounds out the field, with the Jamie Ennis trained former track record holder looking to claim his first Group race title. The son of Where’s Pedro showed his exceptional speed with a slick 29.33 win in a heat of the Adelaide Cup before finishing an unlucky third in the final. Six of Cape Hawke’s 10 career wins have been in best of night, including his 29.13 second track record run at Sandown Park.
New South Wales pair He Knows Uno and Prince Diablo make up the reserves. The pair have shown exceptional pace throughout their careers, and will be more than competitive should either get a start despite not having previously raced at Sandown Park.
The boxdraw for the Macro Meats Shootout will be conducted on course during the race meeting on Thursday 27 October, with the $40,000 winner-take-all final to be run on Thursday 3 November.
Shootout night is family night at Sandown Park, with a host of kids activities including ‘owner of the day’ – a first in greyhound racing – an animal farm, face painters, a stack of giveaways and Richmond big man Tyrone Vickery on course.
Entry to all meetings at Sandown Park is free. Gates open at 6pm and the first race is run at 7pm.
