2015 Group 2 Black Top final – free odds, form and tips

THE Jason Mackay-trained Smart Missile is the $2.00 favourite with William Hill to take out night's Group 2 Black Top at after breaking the in emphatic fashion in his heat last week.

Clocking 29.19 over the 515 metre journey, the son of Nitro Burst and Oh Cee Ya stamped himself as one of the most promising youngsters in the state, scoring by a head over a tenacious Brad Hilly Billy. The black sprinter will be assisted by a favourable box two draw in the final, an alley from which he has won two races from as many starts.

Next best in the market is grand campaigner Miner's Moss (box three) at $4.00 which is racing in career best form despite being over four years of age. A winner of 41 of his 97 starts, the ultra consistent chaser clocked a sizzling 29.48 to qualify for the final with a slick 4.91 first section – a split which is sure to see him up near the lead again on Friday.

In an open event, La Grand Logie is currently sitting on the $6.50 quote from box one and is sure to be a chance as the genuine speed dog in the race, while Anthony 's Uno Suzie (box six) appears value at $6.00 after a terrific 29.44 heat performance.

The only other runner under double figures is the superbly talented Opus Forte which is as talented as any runner in the event but will need luck from box four, something which is reflected by his $9.00 quote with William Hill.

The Group 2 Black Top is race eight at The Gardens and is set to jump at 9:38pm.

Lets check out the form of each finalist, with selections from Australian Racing Greyhound's expert tipster Brad Bugeja.

Box One – La Grand Logie
Black Dog – 33.1kg – March 2013
El Grand Senor x Oh Em Gee
Prize money: $54,248
Trainer: Jeff Eaton
Career: 36: 12-6-7
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 29.73

“Classy speedster and from the red draw he should be in the mix for quite a while, however he isn't overly strong in the run home and he is going to need some shuffling up behind him to have any chance. Last week he pounced on the early lead and he was able to score in a solid 29.73, to be competitive tonight he is going to need to get down to the 29.40ish mark and at present I don't think he can. Solid place claims but I can't see him winning.”

Odds to win the Black Top: $6.50 with William Hill

Box Two – Smart Missile
Black Dog – 36.3kg – July 2013
Nitro Burst x Oh Cee Ya
Prize money: $20,322
Trainer: Jason Mackay
Career: 14: 9-2-1
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 29.19TR

“Broke the track record here last week and he continues to get better with every run. The red draw was a big advantage last week and although he only moves over one spot into box two, he is going to need some luck early. He has won three of his past eight but in those three wins he was able to step cleanly and settle near the lead, there is a heap of speed in this event so he will need to do everything right in the first 50m. I think he is a great winning chance but at the short odds I would be happy to take him on.”

Odds to win the Black Top: $2.00 with William Hill

Box Three – Miner's Moss
Black Dog – 32.8kg – June 2011
x Bellbird Park
Prize money: $90,425
Trainer: Mathew Reid
Career: 97: 41-13-10
T/D: 3: 2-0-0
T/D Best: 29.43

“Easily the oldest chaser in the event but at present he is racing in career best form. He has now won seven on the trot and if he steps cleaning again he is a great chance of making it eight. Last week he began well and he was always in the firing line when scoring in a slick 29.48, if he can reproduce a similar first section he should settle in the top three early and with a trouble free run he will be right there at the end. He is currently around the $4 mark which is about right, so if you're looking to take on the favourite, he could be the pick.”

Odds to win the Black Top: $4.00 with William Hill

Box Four – Opus Forte
Black Dog – 33.0kg – November 2012
x Florinda Belle
Prize money: $50,403
Trainer:
Career: 38: 11-11-5
T/D: 2: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 29.57

“Absolute beast when on song and if he came away cleanly I think he would take out this race quite easily, however I dont really think this track suits him, even though he has won two of three. Last week he was slow to begin but he was able to work his way through the field and he proved too strong in 29.57. He has the ability to ping the lids and if he does get away, a 29.30 run is definitely on the cards. He is currently around the $10 mark and that is well over the odds.”

Odds to win the Black Top: $9.00 with William Hill

Box Five – Gracie See More
Black and White Bitch – 26.2kg – September 2012
Prince Diablo x Merry Tourist
Prize money: $12,030
Trainer: Neville Stokes
Career: 44: 11-3-14
T/D: 10: 3-0-5
T/D Best: 29.74

“Very slow beginner but can unwind a big finish and I think she is the value for the place. Last week she dropped out further than she normally would but she was able to acquire a nice rails run mid race and she proved too strong in the run home. I don't think she can win tonight but I'm expecting there to be some trouble up front and that might allow her to tack on a little earlier and she could sneak into second or third spot. She is currently big odds for the place and she could be a value bet.”

Odds to win the Black Top: $41 with William Hill

Box Six – Uno Suzie
Black Bitch – 293kg – March 2013
x Uno Witch
Prize money: $48,208
Trainer: Anthony Azzopardi
Career: 48: 17-13-6
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 29.44

“Super impressive 29.44 heat winner last week and with a clean getaway tonight she should make an impact. She is normally a very reliable beginner, however she has a heap of speed drawn on her outside tonight and there is a fair bit of speed inside, so there is every chance that she will get squeezed out at the first corner. Racing well and more than capable of winning but I just think she might find too much bother in running.”

Odds to win the Black Top: $7.00 with William Hill

Box Seven – Sheba's Diva
Brindle Bitch – 26.2kg – December 2012
Cosmic Rumble x Sheba
Prize money: $19,589
Trainer: Cherylee Frankland-Shambler
Career: 39: 7-10-5
T/D: 4: 2-1-0
T/D Best: 29.71

“Big rise in class tonight and would need a big lead to have any chance of holding on. Last week she was able to lead all the way in 29.71 but she was untouched in that event and that sort of run leaves her at least six lengths off the pace tonight. Good effort to qualify but is definitely out of her depth.”

Odds to win the Black Top: $23 with William Hill

Box Eight – Avenging Gun
Black Dog – 32.5kg – February 2013
Spring Gun x High Fashion
Prize money: $20,805
Trainer: Anthony Teofilo
Career: 23: 10-2-4
T/D: 3: 2-1-0
T/D Best: 29.57

“Has a big engine and showed his true ability with a dazzling 29.57 heat win last week, however on that occasion he was drawn nearer the inside and he didn't have to get across too many speedy chasers. Tonight he exits the pink and there are at least four chasers that can go with him early, so if he is four or five wide at the first turn, he is likely to get put out of business. Can win if he crosses but I can't see it happening.”

Odds to win the Black Top: $11 with William Hill

1st Reserve – Brad Hill Billy
Black Dog – 31.3kg – January 2013
x Break Even
Prize money: $80,802
Trainer:
Career: 34: 11-11-6
T/D: 1: 0-1-0
T/D Best: 29.21

“Enormous talent who, along with the winner, broke the previous track record when narrowly beaten in his heat. Has continued to impress since moving from Tasmania and would be a serious chance if he happened to gain a start, especially from an inside draw.”

Odds to win the Black Top: $3.10 with William Hill

2nd Reserve – Explosive Range
Black Dog – 34.3kg – June 2013
Fabregas x Shesa Surfy
Prize money: $4,959
Trainer: Daniel Flanagan
Career: 14: 3-3-2
T/D: 4: 1-1-1
T/D Best: 29.60

“Inexperienced chaser but he appears to be getting better with every run and his effort here last week was enormous. He has been bombing the start of late which doesn't help but if he can mend his box manners he is going to be a star of the future.”

Odds to win the Black Top: $31 with William Hill

Top Four: 3 – 4 – 2 – 5

Suggested Bets:

Win bet on Miner's Moss and Opus Forte

Place bet on Gracie See More

Boxed Quinella: 2,3,4,5 ($6 for 100%)

Exacta: 2,3,4/2,3,4,5 ($9 for 100%)

Trifecta: 2,3,4/2,3,4,5/1,2,3,4,5,6 ($27 for 100%)

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