The table has been set for one of the great Macro Meats Shootouts following the box draw at Sandown Park tonight.
Drawing perfectly in box 1 is Odie For Now, the diminutive chaser in the care of master Pearcedale trainer Kel Greenough.
“I’m happy with the red box. It was my first choice – he knows how to use it now,” said kennel representative Jackie Greenough, citing Odie For Now’s record of five wins from eight starts from the box.
Jason Thompson was equally happy with the draw for his two charges; Proven Nitro and pre-box draw favourite Don’t Knocka Him.
“It’ll be a good race with four very evenly matched dogs,” said Thompson.
“Don’t Knocka Him has drawn perfectly in 7 and Proven Nitro is much better suited close to the rail. Box 1 would have been perfect for Proven Nitro but box 3 is the next best thing.
“The format of the race suits Don’t Knocka Him. He and Odie For Now are drawn perfectly so they should both get good runs – whoever can hold the lead out of them two will be hard to beat.”
However, Thompson will be keeping an eye out for the greyhound wearing the yellow rug.
“Regardless of who is in front, they’re going to be looking for one dog and that’s Heston Bale.”
Heston Bale broke the track record at his second race start, a record that fell soon after when litter brother Bekim Bale set the current mark of 28.96. Bekim Bale then went on to win the 2011 Macro Meats Shootout.
“The box draw doesn’t make any difference to him,” said George Dailly.
“He’ll come out last and hope he’s close to them coming off the back because you can’t give dogs like these a big start.”
Odie For Now and Proven Nitro will contest the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park before lining up in Thursday night’s Macro Meats Shootout.
Macro Meats Shootout night is the Kids Fun Night Out at Sandown Park, featuring the popular ‘Owner For A Day (where kids will have the opportunity to get up close with the greyhounds), plus a host of other fun activities with great prizes to be won.
The Macro Meats Shootout is the highlight of a massive night of greyhound racing. As well as the $50,000 winner-takes-all Shootout, the $36,000 Group 3 Sir John Dillon and GRV VBIS Maiden series, featuring some of the state’s best young greyhounds.
The final TAB Melbourne Cup Prelude series will also be run, giving greyhounds one final chance to qualify for the richest greyhound race ever run, the $500,000 TAB Melbourne Cup.
The TAB Melbourne Cup heats will be run on Thursday 15 November with the final to be run a week later on Thursday 22 November.
For further details, visit www.superdogs.com.au.
