Launching Pad 2022 Heats Preview


After many weeks of anticipation the heats of the $460,000 Launching Pad series have arrived, and they are hot.

The 64 greyhounds selected to represent their slot holders make up some of the strongest fields ever seen in the series’ history.

Favourites for the series Wow She’s Fast, Big Opal Rocks and Amron Boy will have their work cut out for them with tough draws.

Greyhounds must finish in the top four to advance to next week’s semi-finals, then top two to advance to the final.

Heat 1

Multiple major players will go head-to-head in the opening heat.

Mobile Legend resumes from a freshen up after co-trainers Colin and Daryl Brennan were forced to hold him back to stay eligible for the series. Mobile Legend has set 29.30 here previously and has gone even quicker recently in a trial. He’ll jump from Box 5 and, if given a clear run, should prove too powerful for this field.

One of Jackie Greenough’s many chances, Levitation, has drawn the short straw and will jump from Box 8 where she is yet to win. With pace on her inside, she may be able to get a cart across but there is no doubt Team Greenough would have hoped for an inside draw.

Set Me Free will jump the favourite in this race following her quick 29.26 victory on Sunday. She set 5.06 early and dashed away to win by 13 lengths. Jumping from Box 1 she may prove too hard to reel in if she gets away like she did on the weekend.

 

  1. Set Me Free ($2.25)
  2. Samona ($26)
  3. Juno ($101)
  4. Raised ($34)
  5. Mobile Legend ($9.00)
  6. Aston Lamont ($5.50)
  7. Wrote The Script ($5.50)
  8. Levitation ($3.50)

Mobile Legend (5) bursts away to win in 29.30.

Heat 2

All eyes are on TAB Phoenix champion Wow She’s Fast in the second heat.

She comes off a breathtaking win last time out at Warragul where she exploded to win by 10 lengths after a tardy start. Her box speed from the middle draw will be the only doubt for Jackie Greenough but with just the slightest breath of clean air, Wow She’s Fast will certainly win.

Should Wow She’s Fast get caught up, Photo Man looms a serious threat to take out this heat from Box 2. With six wins from 11 starts, Photo Man is another who is resuming after being held back. He boasts a great record at Sandown – striking at 60% so far. He is also undefeated from Boxes 1 & 2.

 

  1. Charlee’s Misty ($12)
  2. Photo Man ($3.50)
  3. Town Rocker ($41)
  4. Eugenie ($81)
  5. Wow She’s Fast ($1.70)
  6. Fearless Rory ($8.50)
  7. Zipping James ($8.50)
  8. Good To Go ($14)

Wow She’s Fast (4) exploded to win her last start at Warragul by 10 lengths.

Heat 3

Last time out, Big Opal Rocks left us stunned with a jaw-dropping 29.02 victory. He finds himself drawn out in Box 7 for the third heat and faces his biggest test yet. With the in-form She’s Refined drawn on his inside, Big Opal Rocks has every chance to get across and hit the front in this race. However, after three starts at Sandown he has only ever managed to go 5.15 early which could see him struggle to find the rail he desperately searches for. Possessing the strongest run home in the series, Big Opal Rocks should have no trouble finishing in the top four and advancing to next week’s semi-finals – regardless of where he settles after the first bend.

Kelsey Bale looks the best chance to take out this heat from the inside draw. With the fastest early section in the field and coming off a strong win at Sandown last week, she will give them plenty to chase. Kelsey Bale was highballing off the back last start recording 18.60 before getting tired in the run home. There is no doubt Team Gibbons will have her fitter and raring to go this time around.

 

  1. Kelsey Bale ($4.20)
  2. Red Reactor ($5.50)
  3. Plaintiff ($6.00)
  4. Bearish ($34)
  5. Hometown Hero ($31)
  6. She’s Refined ($3.80)
  7. Big Opal Rocks ($2.90)
  8. Aston Komuni ($34)

Big Opal Rocks (2) set a flying 29.02 PB at his last start.

Heat 4

He’s five wins from five; he’s the new face of the sport, but Amron Boy faces his most difficult challenge yet.

Drawn out in Box 7, Amron Boy will be hoping to find room to muster and show off his unmatched sectionals going into the back. Belle Violin averages a 5.27 first split on his inside and Three Wishes 5.16 on his outside. If Amron Boy can produce his usual 5.10-5.15 getaway it should be enough for him to muster well, find the front immediately and force all eyes towards the clock.

 

  1. Springview Noah ($15)
  2. Slick Sister ($17)
  3. Rio Bhodi ($4.40)
  4. Magic Mist ($34)
  5. Amlin Emperor ($6.50)
  6. Belle Violin ($13)
  7. Amron Boy ($1.80)
  8. Three Wishes ($8.00)

Amron Boy (1) goes 29.06 in his second career start.

Heat 5

One of the more open races of the evening with chances across the board.

Dr. Gwen looks the likely leader from Box 6 after recording a devastating 4.98 early last week. She ran out of legs towards the end and placed in 29.73 but she’ll be better for the run this time.

Exciting Western Australia sprinter West On Finn heads interstate for the first time with an excellent record and he is very well drawn in Box 2.

The impressive Wynburn Ruby also goes interstate for the first time, coming up from Tasmania to try out her luck in the $460,000 series. Placing 10 times from 11 starts, she looks set to advance to next week’s semi-finals.

 

  1. Rio Tommy ($6.50)
  2. West On Finn ($2.30)
  3. Wynburn Ruby ($6.50)
  4. Piscopo Bale ($6.00)
  5. Devil Dodger ($10)
  6. Dr. Gwen ($6.00)
  7. Extravagance ($31)
  8. Barooga Boy ($11)

Dr. Gwen (5) set a scorching 4.98 early before finishing third last week.

Heat 6

This heat is all about Cybertruck. This dog just keeps getting stronger and stronger with every run. With a 29.24 PB here in February, 5.05 first split on the cards, and a 75% strike rate from Box 6, everything points towards a runaway victory.

Slingshot Jonesy stands as the biggest threat to Cybertruck. A multiple Group 1 finalist including a runners-up effort in the National Derby at Wentworth Park. He boasts a strong record from inside draws but has struggled to test the clock at Sandown in his three runs. Cannot be overlooked.

 

  1. Enemy Within ($5.00)
  2. Slingshot Jonesy ($3.70)
  3. Bang ($8.00)
  4. Dusty Bourbski ($21.00)
  5. Kung Pow Kevin ($18.00)
  6. Cybertruck ($2.60)
  7. Paua Of Mindy ($8.00)
  8. Stone Cold Augie ($13.00)

Cybertruck (2) records his Sandown PB of 29.24.

Heat 7

Old News will begin the series as the fourth favourite on TAB’s All-In market and he jumps from Box 2 in Heat 7.

He has struggled at Sandown in his short career winning just once from four attempts – unlike many of the other series favourites. There is no question about his power and he looks a lock to finish in the top four and progress into next week’s semi-finals. Old News has finished top four in all 15 of his career runs.

Black Sail looks the value runner of the series at $101 on TAB’s All-In Market. After settling in sixth at the first bend last week, he absolutely exploded and stormed home to win in 29.44 – turning many heads in the process. Another who is yet to miss the top four in his career.

 

  1. Love The City ($3.70)
  2. Old News ($3.20)
  3. Magical Mavis ($3.90)
  4. Black Sail ($6.50)
  5. Rohan Bale ($19)
  6. Go Go Ringo ($21)
  7. Midday Snooze ($34)
  8. Hummock ($6.00)

Black Sail (2) with a massive comeback victory last week.

Heat 8

The final heat presents another wide-open affair.

Exalted will represent a hot Presutto kennel. He is undefeated in three starts at The Meadows and looks ideally drawn in Box 3.

Here Comes Pie owns the fastest PB of this group with a 29.25 win in January but will have to overcome the Box 4 draw.

Similar to his kennelmate Big Opal Rocks, Black Spartacus will be the strongest run home of this field and if he gets around the first bend cleanly it looks his race to lose. He has finished in the top four 10 times from his 11 starts.

 

  1. Mick Flash ($3.10)
  2. Alfie Moon ($12)
  3. Exalted ($3.50)
  4. Here Comes Pie ($5.00)
  5. Let’s Win Coin ($51)
  6. Boo Boo Billy ($19)
  7. Black Spartacus ($11)
  8. Little Bit Sleek ($4.00)

Black Spartacus (1) shows off his powerful run home to win in 29.36.

TAB All-In Market Top 10

Amron Boy – $4.40

Wow She’s Fast – $4.40

Big Opal Rocks – $5.00

Old News – $9.00

West On Finn – $9.00

Cybertruck – $18

Magical Mavis – $18

Rio Bhodi – $18

She’s Refined – $18

Kelsey Bale/Levitation/Red Reactor/Set Me Free/Slingshot Jonesy – $26

Odds correct with TAB as of 12pm Wednesday. See tab.com.au for latest markets.

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