Bill’s back and better than before


Tasmanian chaser Be Like Bill returns to Sandown Park tonight with his sights set firmly on the mainland riches.

   • Interstate chasers to trial ahead of Launching Pad heats
   • Thursday night is Wings Night with TAB!

Be Like Bill began his career in Victoria under the tutelage of Robert Britton, however after winning just one of his first 17 starts he was sent to Blake Pursell in Tasmania where he quickly established himself as one of the Apple Isle’s premier sprinters, winning 12 of his 25 starts and reaching the Hobart Thousand and Launceston Cup finals. However it was his scintillating last start win in 25.60 at Hobart – less than two lengths from the track record – than confirmed his ticket back to Victoria.

Click here to see his brilliant Hobart victory.

“My young bloke has done a good job with him,” said Blake’s father Brendan, who will look after the greyhound during his stay.

“He’s clicked with him and really got him going. He has plenty of ability, his only disadvantage is that he lacks that bit of speed early. Once he hits the ground he’s off and running but here against the better ones he won’t be able to give them a start.”

Be Like Bill made the move to Tasmania in May last year before returning for a tilt at the Provincial Plate heats at Geelong in November. However he didn’t travel well and finished a well beaten fifth, so the camp will try a different tactic this time.

“The dog is good enough, it just seems that when he goes away he loses the plot a little bit so we’re going to try something different this time. We brought him over the night before to see if he settles better that way.

“He (Blake) is thinking about the Warrnambool Cup with him so he’s brought him over to see how he handles the travelling and how he stacks up to the competition here. The dog is flying over there, he should be good enough over here.

Be Like Bill is winless in 11 starts at Sandown Park but has been placed on five occasions. However Pursell is cautious about his chances tonight.

“He’s drawn box 8 – he likes it out wide – but he’s going to have to begin to get around them at the first corner.”

TAB opened Be Like Bill an $11 chance to win race 9. Here are Pursell’s thoughts on his other runners on tonight’s card.

 

Race 5 – Sustain The Rage (4) – “She’s racing well, it was a good win last start when she ran 29.88 at the Meadows. She’s the same sort of dog (as Be Like Bill), just misses it for that first stride and then goes. If she gets that clear run in the first 10 or 15 meters she’s off and gone, she’s getting better and better.”

Race 6 – Annie Lava (5) – “She won last start which was bit of a shock. She’s been going alright for a while but she just seems to find trouble herself. It’s not an easy race but she’s racing well so if she gets a clear run she might run a place.”

Race 10 – Outbreak (3)  – “He’s just a battler, he’s going to need a bit of luck.”

 

Click here for your free form guide for tonight’s meeting.

 


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Interstate chasers to trial ahead of Launching Pad heats

With the heats of the Launching Pad just a week away the following greyhounds will get their first look at Sandown Park tonight ahead of the $432,000 series:

After race 2: Rockstar Prince, trained by Chris Nutt
After race 3: Red Rock, trained by Kirin Corby
After race 4: Alfieri, trained by Zbigniew Wudarczyk

Follow @sandowndogs on Twitter for trial times as it happens.

 


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Thursday night is Wings Night with TAB! Place a Fixed Odds win bet on Races 1-2 at Sandown, Dapto & Albion Park on Thursday Night. If your dog runs 2nd or 3rd, get a Bonus Bet back up to $50*.

Ts&Cs apply, visit www.tab.com.au for details

 

Mick Floyd
About Mick Floyd - Mick is the Racing and Media Manager at Sandown Park and has 15 years of experience in the sport. He has a finely tuned talent for finding three legs of a quaddie. You can follow his ramblings on Twitter - @mickfloyd
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