The Launching Pad at Sandown Park is quickly gaining a reputation as the premier series for showcasing up-and-coming greyhounds.
We’re just under a month away from the first set of heats and all available slots have been filled. The fields are shaping up to be some of the strongest ever seen.
With many bright talents on display, these are the five most promising stars to keep an eye on.
Big Opal Rocks
Trainer: Mario Briganti
Career: 7: 5-0
Best Time: 29.02 (Satisfactory Trial)
Big Opal Rocks burst onto the scene with some impressive trials and dominant victories at The Meadows and Warragul. He soon turned heads with an impressive 29.38 win at Sandown Park. After beginning a length behind and misplacing a step going into the back, he turned on the afterburners and powered to the line with a devastating 10.30 run home – numbers we’ve only seen recently from Aston Rupee. His quick rise to stardom was solidified on Sunday with a breathtaking 29.02 satisfactory trial. When he gets it right there are only a handful of dogs that can match it with him.
Big Opal Rocks (1) unleashes a devastating run home to score in 29.38.
Wow She’s Fast
Trainer: Jacqueline Greenough
Career: 8: 5-0
Best Time: 29.09
She was destined to be a superstar of the sport after her record-breaking 27 length, 29.09 debut win at Sandown. Wow She’s Fast’s career started with a perfect four-from-four at Sandown Park before heading to The Meadows to take out the inaugural TAB Phoenix and its $750,000 first prize. Her pace is unquestioned and with a big race win under her belt, she becomes the benchmark for the Launching Pad series.
Wow She’s Fast (4) takes out the inaugural TAB Phoenix.
Amron Boy
Trainer: Brooke Ennis
Career: 2: 2-0
Best Time: 29.06
There’s only a small sample size to assess from, but in just two starts Amron Boy has proven himself as a very serious prospect. He has lit up Sandown Park in his two races, the most recent being a scintillating 29.06 victory – the fastest seen this year outside of Aston Rupee. His mid-race sectionals have been unmatched and looks to be a major player in the series.
Amron Boy (1) records a breathtaking 29.06 in just his second career run.
She’s Refined
Trainer: Jacqueline Greenough
Career: 5: 3-1
Best Time: 29.19
Another Greenough star. She’s Refined boasts a pair of very quick Sandown wins – 29.19 & 29.20. A couple months off have allowed her to remain eligible and she recently resumed in an unlucky run on Monday at Shepparton. Any dog that can score quick victories at this stage in their career is always one to keep an eye on.
She’s Refined (6) records a PB of 29.19 at Sandown Park.
Soda Success
Trainer: Maxwell Auld
Career: 13: 4-3-2
Best Time: 29.24
Soda Success is a dynamic sprinter with the ability to lead and also work his way from the back of a field. His last two Sandown victories have been super impressive – both showcasing top-tier mid-race speed. He backed up a 29.24 triumph with a stunning come-from-behind effort to score in 29.40 two weeks ago. Trainer Maxwell Auld assured that once he gets an inch of daylight he his very hard to hold off.
Soda Success (4) flies out and leads all the way in 29.24.
