2015 Group 1 Dapto Megastar odds, tips & betting preview

LEADING Queensland conditioner Tony Brett says his star duo and Flash Reality are in excellent order ahead of the Group 1 Dapto Megastar this night.

The veterans, which both turn four years of age in December, received an invitation to compete in the $75,000-to-the-winner feature and will join a classy field which includes Bessy Boo (box four), Aphorism (box six) and unbeaten track record holder Fantastic Dotty (box one).

Keybow, $3.50 with William Hill, which ran third in the Group 1 National Sprint Championship last start, clocked a sizzling 29.50 in a stewards trial at Dapto last week, while Flash Reality, which finished third in last year's Megastar, has rounded out his preparations back in the Sunshine State.

“They are both going really well,” Brett told Australian Racing Greyhound.

“Keybow is raring to go – his preparation has been fantastic and now he just has to do what he did last week in his trial – if he can repeat that then he is going to be right in it.

“I thought he would have gone around the 29.60 mark, so 29.50 was a nice bonus, but nothing surprises me with him because he is just so professional in what he does.

“He has got to come out as good as he did last week. He trialled really well at Wentworth Park before the Nationals where his first section was really nice, but then he missed the kick a little bit in the final – he can't afford to do that this week.

“Flash is a bit behind the other bloke – when they abandoned the he missed a good hard gallop so he then had to come home and be prepped for the race – but he is ticking along nicely and he trialled very well at Ipswich on Monday morning so he too is ready to go.”

Keybow and Flash Reality have drawn boxes five and seven respectively for the decider, with Brett especially pleased with the latter.

“We were always going to pick a wide draw for Flash Reality to keep him out of trouble and we would have taken the eight if it was still there, box seven was the next best thing,” Brett said.

“We were hoping to pick one, two or three for Keybow but unfortunately when the time came for us to pick a draw the only boxes that were left were five or six, so we took the five which is probably the better of two evils – I didn't want my two drawn side by side.”

Keybow is a winner of 25 races from 53 starts including the 2014 Group 1 Perth and Brisbane Cups, while Flash Reality, $9 with Sportsbet, scored his biggest career win when taking out last year's Group 1 at Albion Park.

With over $756,000 in career earnings between them, Brett says both are a genuine chance of snaring the prize.


“They are both a chance if they begin well, if not they are in trouble. The run to the first turn is so important.

“Realistically I think you want to be one, two or three going around the first turn – strength-wise I think there is only Bessy Boo which would be able to run the leader down – if you have got a leader that is running 29.40 or 29.50 out in front then you aren't going to get caught. 



“Hopefully it is one of my two which is out in front running that time.”

The Group 1 Dapto Megastar is race six on the card this Friday and is set to jump at 8:58pm.

Box One – Fantastic Dotty
Black Bitch – 28.3kg – September 2013
x Light Fantastic
Prize money: $24,410
Trainer: Jason Fletcher
Career: 3: 3-0-0
T/D: 3: 3-0-0
T/D Best: 29.34 TR

“One of the most exciting greyhounds in training and her win in the Group 3 Dapto Maiden was a phenomenal performance, however this is another league entirely and she cannot afford to give any of these dogs a start. With that being said, Jason Fletcher has kept her fresh for this week so she should begin a lot better and if she steps well she should win as she is the fastest dog in the race.”

Odds to win the Megastar: $3.00 with William Hill

Box Two – Whittaker
Black Dog – 33.2kg – November 2012
Mildean Panther x Mrs Trickett
Prize money: $35,360
Trainer: Julie Fletcher
Career: 26: 11-4-2
T/D: 8: 5-2-0
T/D Best: 29.55

“Has a flying 29.55 personal best over the track and trip but that was against a much weaker class and he will find it hard to reproduce that run again – something he will need to do to win this week. Is a slow beginner and will be giving them too much of a head start, but could sneak home into some minor money if he gets the right run.”

Odds to win the Megastar: $13 with Bet365

Box Three – Fantastic Spiral
Black Dog – 31.4kg – January 2013
Spiral Nikita x Light Fantastic
Prize money: $59,421
Trainer: Jason Fletcher
Career: 28: 15-5-5
T/D: 6: 4-0-2
T/D Best: 29.60

“Older half-brother to the freakish Fantastic Dotty and he is blessed with plenty of his own potential. He began well in last week's Prelude but was unable to cross Aphorism and failed to finish the race as strongly as expected. He is usually a good beginner and if he manages to find the front he will be hard to stop.”

Odds to win the Megastar: $13 with Bet365

Box Four – Bessy Boo
Black Dog – 30.9kg – March 2012
x My Black Bess
Prize money: $245,991
Trainer: Christine Proctor
Career: 92: 28-16-20
T/D: 0: 0-0-0
T/D Best: N/A

“Fantastic greyhound with an enormous finishing burst which will drop back to the rails in the early stages. He should be able to position himself well and is likely to improve off his 29.60 stewards trial last week. Because of his running style he is always going to need luck, but he has incredible field sense and is too good to dismiss – a definite for the multiples.”

Odds to win the Megastar: $7 with Bet365

Box Five – Keybow
Black Dog – 31.6kg – December 2011
x Key Exit
Prize money: $556,117
Trainer: Tony Brett
Career: 53: 25-8-7
T/D: 0: 0-0-0
T/D Best: N/A

“Began brilliantly in his stewards trial here last week and a repeat performance would see him up in front going around the first turn. He is a superstar sprinter and is racing in terrific form, making him one of the hardest to beat in this event.”

Odds to win the Megastar: $3.50 with William Hill

Box Six – Aphorism
Black Dog – 34.2kg – July 2013
x Fantasy Royale
Prize money: $40,473
Trainer: Shaun Evans
Career: 26: 10-6-3
T/D: 5: 4-1-0
T/D Best: 29.56

“Has always looked like being a top class greyhound and really showed his ability with a tremendous 29.56 Prelude win from box one. Shifts out to box six this week which will make things harder, but has speed drawn underneath and a wide runner on his outside so should get every chance.”

Odds to win the Megastar: $13 with Bet365

Box Seven – Flash Reality
Black Dog – 33.3kg – December 2011
Premier Fantasy x
Prize money: $199.967
Trainer: Tony Brett
Career: 35: 16-6-5
T/D: 1: 0-0-1
T/D Best: 30.03

“Terrific old greyhound which ran third in this race last year but probably isn't going as well this time around. Box Seven will suit as he likes to use a bit of the track but he is still going to need plenty of luck to get across and lead.”

Odds to win the Megastar: $9.00 with Sportsbet

Box Eight – Rue De Kahn

1st Reserve – Miss Sueko
Black Bitch – 26.4kg – July 2012
x Miss Lolola
Prize money: $46,528
Trainer: Justin King
Career: 51: 13-8-8
T/D: 8: 3-1-0
T/D Best: 29.69

“Has scored a couple of nice victories of late but really needs to lead to win her races and she is likely to struggle to do that against this field.”

Odds to win the Megastar: $21 with Bet365

2nd Reserve – Rare Pearl
Black Dog – 33.2kg – October 2012
Bekim Bale x La Pearl
Prize money: $43,675
Trainer: Steve White
Career: 33: 12-7-5
T/D: 5: 1-1-2
T/D Best: 29.83

“Found trouble in last week's Prelude but doesn't really have the pace to match it with these types of dogs and he doesn't appear quick enough to be able to run them down if he gets a start.”

Odds to win the Megastar: $21 with Bet365

Top Four: 3-5-1-4

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