Reigning Sandown Greyhound of the Year Sweet it Is returns to Sandown Park this Thursday night in the group 3 Lizrene.
Sweet It Is (pictured right with breeder Len Jones) won the hearts of greyhound racing fans across the country in 2014 with her distinctive drop-out-and-run-home racing style that saw her win four group 1 races in three states, including both Sandown Park group 1 features, the RSN Sandown Cup and Bold Trease.
Despite being five months since the last of her 16 race victories, trainer Braden Finn is confident his star is close to returning to her devastating best.
“She’s been trialling well and her last few runs in Sydney have been good,” said Finn.
“She’s drawn pretty well on Thursday night and she’s back to her favourite track. That said, it’s a very good field we’re hoping for a bit of luck which she’ll always need with her racing pattern.
Out to spoil Sweet It Is’s return to Sandown Park is group 1 winner Luna Jinx who rounded out her preparations with an impressive 41.98 solo trial last Thursday night. Group 1 finalists Mepunga Tiara, Opec Bale and Lady Toy will also be chasing the $25,000 first prize.
A win in Thursday’s group 3 feature will take Sweet It Is to $647,265 in career prize money and within sight of Xylia Allen’s Australian record of $743,730.
In the night’s second feature event, the group 3 Racecallers (595m), Lamia Bale will jump from box 1 in an attempt to claim her third Sandown Park feature.
Having won the group 2 Laurels and group 3 Sir John Dillon Memorial in December, Lamia Bale continued her good form with a win in the Ambrosoli at Wentworth Park at the start of April. Agent Jack handed Lamia Bale her only defeat over the distance last Thursday night and will jump from box 6 this week.
Thursday night is the first of four big weeks of greyhound racing at Sandown Park, featuring seven black type events and over $800,000 in prize money culminating with the $250,000 Group 1 RSN Sandown Cup on Thursday 21 May.
Click here for your free Watchdog form guide for Thursday night’s meeting.
Unfortunately, due to lack of nominations the Group 3 Bill Collins Memorial will not be conducted at Sandown Park this Thursday night. The Bill Collins Memorial has a long and distinguished history, so in consultation and with the support of Greyhound Racing Victoria and Australian Greyhound Racing Association, the club has rescheduled the race to Sandown Cup night (Thursday 21 May) and will replace the advertised Listed Cup Night Sprint.
