Worm Burner headlines a stellar line up of greyhounds set to contest the $61,000 Bill Collins Speed Star match race series at Sandown Park next Thursday night.
Thirteen chasers have nominated for the unique series, with the final eight to contest one of four, two dog match races. The winner of each match will collect $10,000 with the greyhound recording the fastest overall time collecting a $15,000 bonus.
Worm Burner has enhanced his reputation as one of Australia’s fastest greyhounds by winning four of his five starts since moving from South Australia to Victoria. He heads the leader board with a slick 29.159, and also boasts the second qualification time having recorded 29.181 a week earlier.
Worm Burner is one of four nominations from the Jason and Seona Thompson training partnership. Aston Dee Bee is guaranteed a berth in the series with a 29.188 qualifying time, while Nature’s Gent (fourth) is well placed to make the final eight. Last start Warrnambool Classic winner Bewildering will aim to make it an Awesome Lodge quartet in the final field when he trials between races on Sunday.
Other greyhounds booked to trial on Sunday are three time group 1 winner Fanta Bale (Annabelle’s Boy withdrawn) and Cry Later.
Unlawful Entry sits 13th on the order of entry but will have the opportunity to improve on his position when he lines up in race 8 (4.13pm) on Sunday. Just over 12 months since setting the Sandown Park track record, Unlawful Entry has hit a purple patch of form having recorded best of night wins in two of his last four starts.
The group 3 Bill Collins Speed Star will be the fourth running of a Speed Star format having made its debut in September 2015. The final field is determined by the greyhound’s fastest time recorded in races at Sandown Park since 2 February, or through qualification trial conducted over three Sunday leading into the final.
The ‘Rapidfre Racing’ format has proven extremely popular with greyhound fans and punters alike, with the match races conducted just eight minutes apart. TAB will be offering a range of markets including overall winner, head to head results and a number of novelty bet options. Click here for full conditions of the race.
The draw for the matches will be conducted at approximately 5.15pm on Sunday, and will be streamed live through the club’s social media channels. The final will be run on Thursday 11 May 2017.
