Space Star is aiming to reach group 1 final number seven when he starts as the favourite in his heat of the RSN Sandown Cup on Thursday night.
Space Star (pictured right with trainer, Robert Britton) enters the series with an imposing career record of 25 wins from 38 starts and $445,900 in prize money, however it is his 2015 record that sets him above all comers. From 11 starts in 2015 – all over the long journey – Space Star has lost just once, claiming three group 1 races, a group 2 and a group 3 among his 10 victories this calendar year. So consistent has the Robert Britton trainer stayer been that he has not missed a place since October 2014 – a span of 19 starts – and has missed just once in his last 27 starts.
His record at Sandown is one win from two starts, that defeat coming when second in last November’s group 1 Bold Trease. Sweet It Is stormed home to claim her fourth group 1 win that night, and she’ll be aiming for number 5 when she lines up in race 5.
Sweet It Is has won just once since that victory over Space Star, however she does boast an impressive six wins and five minor placings from 13 starts over the Sandown 715m journey, including two group 1 wins. The reigning RSN Sandown Cup champion concluded her preparations for her title defence with an impressive second in the group 3 Lizrene at Sandown in April.
The winner on that occasion was Dzeko, whose 41.55 winning time is the fastest over the journey in 2015. Trainer Angela Jackson is no stranger to RSN Sandown Cup success, having claimed the 2011 edition with Bobby Boucheau, the first greyhound she ever trained.
Other notable runners include group 1 Zoom Top winner Juna Jinx, three time group 1 runner up Lady Toy, and 2014 RSN Sandown Cup place getter Mepunga Tiara.
The 32 heat runners have combined for 376 race wins and almost $3m in prize money, with 19 of the heat runners having already recorded wins over Sandown’s famous ‘half mile.’
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The RSN Sandown Cup heats underscore an outstanding night of greyhound racing that includes two group 1 finals – the $145,000 Harrison-Dawson and $145,000 Sapphire Crown. Fernando Bale, the country’s fastest greyhound is a $1.15 chance according to tab.com.au to claim his third group 1 win in the Harrison-Dawson, and having set the first and second split records at his previous two starts will be aiming to break the Sandown track record and take his prize money beyond $517,000.
The first of 12 races on Thursday night will be run at 7.09pm, entry is free.
The $250,000 group 1 RSN Sandown Cup final will be run on Thursday 21 May.
Click here for your free The Watchdog form guide for Thursday night’s big meeting
Click here for a summary and replays of last week’s Harrison-Dawson heats
Click here for a summary and replays of last week’s Sapphire Crown heats
