Track record holders, big reputations and loads of hype with the best young pups from around Australia racing for a share in $400,000 in prize money. It’s little wonder Launching Pad heats night is one of the most exciting nights of chasing on the calendar!
1. The start of something special
The Launching Pad has quickly become one of the most talked about and sought after races in the country. It was first run as a restricted win series in 2003, the race undertook a radical shake up in 2015 when it became the country’s first sweepstakes event – connections pay $2000 to guarantee a berth in the series to be filled by an eligible nominated greyhound at a later date. There were 71 entries sold in 2017 with sales in all states of Australia and nominations from every mainland state. The $400,000 up for grabs across the 3 weeks makes the Launching Pad the fourth richest series in Australia.
Interestingly, the concept has since been picked up by Gulfstream Park thoroughbred track in Florida (the Pegasus World Cup), and by the Racing NSW (The Everest), proving once again Sandown Park is the world leader in new racing concepts!
2. What’s in a name?
One of the country’s most exciting youngsters has a new name – Mepunga Blaze is now Mepunga Blazer. Trained by Hall of Fame trainer Alan Britton, the original Mepunga Blaze won 12 of 58 starts with 30 placings and over $130,000 in prize money, including a win in the 1998 National Derby. Being a group 1 classic winner the name is forever reserved
3. Got the moves like Jagger
Quick Jagger only has two wins to his name but both have been in track record time. He would likely have broken it for a third time had it not for him finding trouble at the first turn did well to stay upright. Trialled at Sandown on Wednesday 15 March 2017, running 29.36 (5.22, 18.88) and got a little lost around the first turn so it’s fair to assume he’ll be better for the look. Fun piece of trivia – the last dog to break the Cannington track record in consecutive starts? Greyhound racing’s golden girl, Miata!
4. Fast Times by name, fast times by nature
They’re a parochial bunch up Queensland way and they do love getting behind a local. Brisbane GRC CEO Luke Gatehouse is one of many banana benders to have an extremely high opinion of Tony Brett’s undefeated youngster Fast Times, saying “he could be a 29.50 dog at my place.” To put that in perspective, the current track record his held by a pretty smart dog named Dyna Double One who ran 29.51 in a heat of the group 1 winter cup in June 2015 (on his way to winning more than $1.1m in career prize money). Clearly, Fast Times is not just a clever name, having won all four of his starts to date, three of which in BON and includes the Lismore 420m record set on his debut. He’s been off the scene since 14 January with a wrist injury, and while the plan was to trial at Sandown Park before lining up tonight, is by all accounts flying
NEWS: Exciting QLD Sprinter Fast Times will take on all-comers in the Launching Pad @sandowndogs following a sizzling comeback trial!
— Brisbane Greyhounds (@BrisGreys) March 23, 2017
5. Worm Burner to keep on burning
Worm Burner has certainly adapted well to his new digs at Jason Thompson’s Pearcedale kennels, blitzing his rivals to win last Thursday night in 29.181. That’s already enough to get him into the Bill Collins Speed Star, but don’t be surprised if he improves on that off the red tonight (race 8). Oh, and while on Thompson, his phenomenal recent run has continues. Since Australian Cup night on Saturday 4 March, Thompson has now won 14 of the last 18 city races he’s contested. Tonight he has Nature’s Gent (R1N3), Bewildering (R3N4) and Worm Burner (R8N1) engaged.
Launching Pad Exhibition trials
He’s Historic – 30.054 (5.18, 19.15) from box 1, 34.5kg, after race 1 on 23/3/17
Matthew Terrence – 29.620 (5.12, 18.96) box 2, 34kg, after race 2 on 26/3/17
The good thing: Riveting (race 2 number 1)
Each way all day: Bombara Cyclone (race 12 number 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
Social Media
Follow all the news from the track and join the conversation on Twitter @sandowndogs and use the #LaunchingPad hashtag.
