THE 2015 Group 2Vince Curry Memorial Maiden will be run and won on Saturday night and there is a quality field of eight greyhounds vying for the $40,000 winner's purse.
After the withdrawal of boom youngster Pop The Cork due to the current live-baiting crisis, the series has lost a bit of its star factor but it should still be an exciting race all the same, with each runner looking to have a promising future on the race track.
The race is set to jump at 7:08pm local time.
Lets have a look at the statistics for each dog in the event:
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Exited this draw last week and was never headed in her brilliant 30.62 heat win. Her first section of 5.31 was clearly the fastest so if she can turn in a similar effort tonight she should hold the early lead and she will prove hard to reel in again. There is a fair bit of early speed in this race, so I am a little concerned that she may cop a little more pressure in the early stages, great winning chance but I wouldn't be taking anything under $3.50.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Had a few chances to win and was probably lucky to make the final as she was beaten by a whopping 18 lengths in her heat. Will get back early and will find it very hard to keep up with this lot.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Was beaten in her heat last week but she was far from disgraced. She generally pings the lids and she is armed with genuine speed, I think she should be able to sit outside or just behind the red in the early stages and if she is within two lengths of the leader as they head for the back straight she is a serious contender. The box draw isn't great but there is no speed drawn around her so she should be afforded a clear run in the early stages.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “My smokey for the final and I think he is a great place bet. He has turned in two terrific and strong performances to date and with the speed drawn on the inside he should be able to drift across early and then drive through into a prominent position. He is getting stronger with every run and I think he will continue to improve, if he goes around at silly odds he is definitely worth an each way ticket.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Was the biggest improver in last week's heats and he must be respected again, the concern tonight though is that he is drawn poorly and the red draw made the difference in last week's heat win. If he steps well then he is definitely a winning chance but there is an abundance of speed in this event so any hesitation at box rise will see him get strung up in traffic. Going to be a great sprinter in the future but I'm happy to risk him in this event.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Steady heat winner in the first round and then was well held in his semi final last week. Drawn poorly once again and doesn't have the early and middle race zip to stay in contention. Likely to improve with more racing but can't see her making an impact tonight.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Outside of Pop The Cork, he was easily the most impressive chaser in the first round of heats and he didn't have a lot of luck after missing the start in his semi. Tonight he exits the same draw which saw him win here in a sizzling 30.58 and if he can turn in a similar effort tonight he should be right in the finish, my only concern is that there is quite a bit of speed in this event and he may get posted wide for most of the journey.”
ARG's Brad Bugeja: “Has turned in two great performances here in recent weeks and he looks poised to figure prominently again. He isn't explosive early but he has enough speed to put himself into contention and he is blessed with brilliant mid race speed. If he can avoid early bother, he should make a strong move mid race and a top three finish is on the cards.”
