A star South Australian becomes a Victorian, a star sprinter becomes a stayer, a unheralded veteran becomes a city winner. That and more in tonight’s Fast 5 –
1. Going the Distance
Polijuice Potion (race 6 number 2) will be aiming to win for the first time over 715m tonight. She’s already won seven times over 515m and six times over 595m but is zip from three over the longer journey. Amazingly, If successful tonight Polijuice Potion will become the 68th greyhound to have won over all three distances since the introduction of the 595m trip in 2010.
2. Feel the Burn
Worm Burner (race 8 number 7) makes his debut for Jason Thompson. While he hasn’t won since Australia Day, Worm Burner he has won five of seven starts from box 7 and is a Melbourne Cup place getter at the track. Then there’s the ‘Thompson Factor’ – Thompson trained chasers have won 12 of the last 16 city races they’ve contested. Whatever he does tonight, expect some improvement – the Bill Collins Speed Star is the main aim for this campaign
3. Age shall not weary him
He began his career in December 2014 but it took until last Thursday night for Proven Kodiak (race 3 number 4) to break through for his first city win. Overcoming a number of injuries throughout his career, trainer Wayne Vassallo has persevered and at 50 months of age and at career start 53, landed the prize last Thursday night at Sandown Park. He’ll be out to claim the biggest prize of his career tonight when he lines up in the $17,000 GOTBA Cup
4. Pay to 4th?
Permafrost (race 1 number 3) has finished 4th in each of his last six starts, five of which has come at Sandown Park. The streak extends back to 16/2/17. Permafrost had assembled an impressive record of 8 starts for 3 wins and 2 placings at HQ prior to his current streak of fourths placings.
5. High in class but down in grade
Mitcharlie Mia (race 10 number 1) may be the best graded greyhound on the card. A winner of 26 of her 63 career starts and over $108,000 in career prize money, her form is deceptive having won just one of her last five races and two of her last 13, but did run 5th at group 2 level last time out following an impressive heat win. She’s yet to run a place in three starts at Sandown Park but is a six time group race finalist and has won 7 from 10 starts in the red rug
Elsewhere…
Make sure you check out the $54,000 group 2 Maitland Gold Cup at 9.40pm tonight. Not only will gun Victorians Pantera Nera and Aussie Infrared be going around, but Melbourne Cup champ Ando’s Mac (pictured above) and Sandown Park regular Outside Pass will also be lining up. It’s shaping as one of the country cups of the year, click here for the form guide.
On trial…
Western Australian youngster He’s Historic will trial for Enzo Crudeli after race 1 tonight ahead of next Thursday night’s Launching Pad heats. From 15 starts he has a 6-5-1 record including a 29.92 win at Cannington.
Speaking of which…
Launching Pad nominations and transfers close at midday tomorrow (Friday). Details here.
The good thing – Race 1 Long Gully Gus (2)
Each way all day – Race 4 Dundee Kestrel (1)
Click here for your free Watchdog form guide for tonight’s meeting.
Click here for the latest markets from tab.com.au. TAB account holders can access race previews from Sky Racing greyhound expert Mark Duclos.
Click here for Jason Adams’ Sandown preview, as heard on RSN – Racing and Sport
