State finals | Around the grounds

The scene is set for Crocmedia National Championships final night on Friday August 24 at Sandown Park.

Greyhound racing around the country last night was action packed with all state finals ran within a two hour period. While the action locally here in Victoria was white hot, there were many impressive winners around Australia that will now aim to take it up to Victoria’s best on their home deck in two weeks time.

Here’s what you may have missed from around the grounds…

The night kicked off with the Queensland Distance final at Albion Park. Double Gee raised his status as one of the country’s most exciting stayers when he ran down Champagne Sally earning a hard fought win. Double Gee’s speed has already been proven, he won his heat of the series in 41.34, just two lengths off Tornado Tears’ track record.

Hardened chaser Maurice Minor took out Queensland sprint final. He looks one of the main dangers of the interstate raiders having already shown great form at Sandown Park. During a short Victorian stint in May he recorded a fast 29.20 win at the track. He will be aiming to claim back-to-back Sprint finals for Queensland after Jury took out last year’s edition.

Typical Sydney traffic had races pushed back at Wentworth Park, but it wasn’t enough to stop their headline stayer Poco Dorado who was too good in their Distance final. Sky Racing’s Jason Lincoln expressed his excitement knowing we will see Poco Dorado (NSW), Double Gee (QLD) and Tornado Tears (VIC) in the same race.

Poco Dorado is likely to trial at Sandown Park on Wednesday afternoon, stay tuned to @sandowndogs for the latest news.

Their Sprint final was taken out by Sky Wave, she exploded out of the boxes to lead clearly and built a break good enough to hold off challengers. She opened equal $2.90 tab.com.au favourite with Big Flood to take out the Crocmedia National Sprint final.

New South Wales have dominated the National Sprint over the years, having won 20 of the 53 held.

Western Australia’s premier sprinter West On Augie led all of the way in their Sprint final at Cannington. It was his 20th win from 33 career starts and without doubt will fly to Melbourne with strong support from fans in his home state.

There will be just as many well wishes for Moment To Jive who will represent WA in the National Distance final. She led from go-to-whoa last night much to the delight of trainers Richard and Sarah Appleton. She will aim to be the third National Distance winner for WA and first since the great Miata in 2012.

Cairnlea Kenny overcame a wide draw to take out the South Australian Sprint final at Angle Park. It spells a return to Victoria for regular visitor and Melbourne Cup winning trainer Petar Jovanovic. The team has shown intentions to trial at Sandown Park next Saturday morning – stay tuned to @sandowndogs for the latest.

Their staying event was taken out by Velocity Lilly at whopping odds of $31. She is one of South Australia’s most consistent chasers and will carry their hopes in the National Distance final, aiming to claim their first since Bothing’s win in 2006.

Buckle Up Rose took out the Sprint final at Launceston. She will be aiming to take out their second National Sprint title and follow the footsteps of Busy Vintage in 1984

The Distance final was a rough affair won by Wynburn Lucifer. She will start at a big price in the National Distance final and racing for Tasmania’s first ever National Distance win.

Click here for Vic Sprint final wrap
Click here for Vic Distance final wrap

Click here for National Sprint market

Click here for National Distance market