Fanta Bale and Dundee Osprey are without doubt the two biggest names in tonight’s McKenna Memorial heats.
They’re both multiple group 1 winners but there is a brigade of youngsters they face who are quickly becoming headline acts.
The first heat of the McKenna is set to jump at 7:04pm. Top two runners from each heat and the two fastest thirds will advance to next Thursday’s $58,000 group 2 final. Box draw will be held on-course after race 9.
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MCKENNA MEMORIAL HEAT 1
Unsurprisingly TAB have installed Bewildering (5) as the $1.80 favourite. He was exceptional last start at The Meadows but will he get the clear run early he needs tonight? Van Ann (4) is a good beginner who does like to race mid-track and Zipping Lady (6) will begin fast – Bewildering will need to bring his A-game not to be sandwiched between them in the first few strides.
Shima Song (2) hasn’t missed a placing in all of her four starts at the track over 595m. Expect her to begin ahead of Cheese Ya Later (1) and hold a position on the rail.
Are You (3), what to expect from him? He was good in his debut over the trip last month but faces a tougher task tonight.
Selections: 2 – 5 – 3 – 6
MCKENNA MEMORIAL HEAT 2
Would it be mug-ish to go against Fanta Bale? She needs no introduction, she’s the country’s best greyhound at the moment and her form reflects that. It’s tough to win from wide draws over 595m here, but we are talking about Fanta Bale!
Midnight Elsa (5) had the challenge of winning from a wide draw last week in her 595m debut. As expected she did her best work late in the race to finish 2nd, expect a similar performance from her tonight.
The greyhound best drawn in the race is Zipping Hawk (2). He loves to camp on the fence and has been beginning well. Certainly one for the exotics.
Dundee Calypso (6) drops back to 595m tonight for the first time since mid-March where she was a 34.41 winner. She’s been awesome over 715m in recent months and has led on most occasions. It will be much harder for her to find the front against this lot, she’ll need luck tonight to get the race on her terms.
Selections: 8 – 5 – 2 – 6
MCKENNA MEMORIAL HEAT 3
The tab.com.au market suggests this is the most open heat of the night with only two runners at double figure odds.
Last week we saw the motor Bella Shima (6) has. She forced her way to the position she wanted to be in – mid-track. Tonight she’s drawn much better and will not veer left or right. It must be noted her run home time last week was nearly four lengths quicker to that of Dundee Osprey (5) – who will jump from her inside tonight.
Last year’s McKenna Memorial winner Bruce Tycoon (2) is forever putting together good performances in good quality fields. Likewise with Zippy Daph.
Speed will come from Flyrite who has won her past two over the trip. She’s the likely leader however they’ll be coming for her late in the race.
Selections: 6 – 5 – 2 – 4
That’s how I see ’em, feel free to let me know your thoughts @Jason4dams.
For a different point of view check out James Van de Maat’s take on tonight’s card via the TAB app.
Keep track of all the action tonight via Twitter @sandowndogs and Snapchat – sandowndogs.
