2016 Group 2 Launching Pad, free tips, preview & best bookie odds

THE next generation of promising youngsters will be on show at Sandown Park this Thursday, with the running of the Group 2 Pad (515m).

The series was open to the best 96 greyhounds with one to six wins from up to 30 starts, whose connections had paid the sweepstake fee.

The $2 favourite for the $150,000-to-the-winner race is the Anthony -trained Major Jackpot which scored a sizzling 29.12 semi-final victory last week.

The son of Smooth Fancy and Teddy's Jackpot exploded out of box two and was never in danger, stretching out to score by a widening nine lengths over Pagan Midnight.

Dundee Osprey is the next best in the market, with Crownbet rating him a $4.20 shot from box six. The son of Fabregas and Dundee Rose bounced back to his best form in last week's semi, clocking a hot 29.28 victory for trainer Geoffrey Scott-Smith.

The only other runner currently under double figures is off box one. Jason Thompson's powerhouse is generally slow into stride, but is still quoted at $6.50 to take home the major prize due to his big engine.

The Group 2 Launching Pad is race eight at Sandown Park on Thursday night and is set to jump at 9:39pm AEDT.

Group 2 Launching Pad – 515m

Box One – Buck Forty
Black Dog – 37.0kg – January 2014
Buck Fever x Fancy Jaffa
Prize money: $14,820
Trainer: Jason Thompson
Career: 9: 2-2-3
Box: 3: 1-2-0
T/D: 5: 1-1-2
T/D Best: 29.49
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 29.49, The Meadows 29.85

“Has a massive motor but is very slow at box rise so will be giving the leaders a fair start. From box one he should be able to punch up along the fence and from there he should be able to work home into some minor money.”

Odds to win the Launching Pad: $6.50 with Sportsbet

Box Two – Major Jackpot
Black Dog – 30.3kg – September 2013
Smooth Fancy x Teddy's Jackpot
Prize money: $21,051
Trainer:
Career: 12: 6-3-1
Box: 2: 1-0-1
T/D: 2: 1-1-0
T/D Best: 29.12
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 29.12, Albion Park 22.42, Capalaba 19.36, Lismore 23.73

“Exploded out of the boxes in 4.97 last week and a repeat would see him leading clearly. He has had three starts in Victoria and finally appears to have adjusted to the different boxes, if he does what he did last week it is hard to see them beating him when he is running 29.12 out in front.”

Odds to win the Launching Pad: $2 with Crownbet

Box Three – Carjack Arrest
Black Bitch – 29.5kg – September 2013
Nitro Burst x Flying Liddy
Prize money: $12,050
Trainer: Wayne Vassallo
Career: 13: 6-2-2
Box: 2: 0-1-0
T/D: 2: 0-2-0
T/D Best: NBT
Career Highlights: WON 22.47, 26.36, Warragul 25.67, 25.22

“Two runs throughout the series have been solid and she will be looking to be up near the lead in the early stages. Would need a few things to go her way to score as there are a few very fast dogs in the final.”

Odds to win the Launching Pad: $21 with Sportsbet

Box Four – Pagan Midnight
Black Dog – 32.2kg – December 2012
Lochinvar Marlow x Midnight Dreame
Prize money: $16,340
Trainer:
Career: 18: 5-2-3
Box: 3: 1-0-0
T/D: 7: 2-2-0
T/D Best: 29.48
Career Highlights: WON 25.83, 25.85, Sandown Park 29.48, 29.59

“Very fast greyhound which scored a commanding 29.48 heat win two weeks ago. Mixes his box manners so can be a little hard to follow, but if he can step on terms he should be able to find a nice spot and run into some money.”

Odds to win the Launching Pad: $11 with Crownbet

Box Five – Hukanui
White and Black Dog – 32.3kg – February 2014
Kelsos Fusileer x Daddy's Muffin
Prize money: $12,306
Trainer:
Career: 23: 6-8-3
Box: 3: 0-1-1
T/D: 2: 0-2-0
T/D Best: NBT
Career Highlights: WON Angle Park 29.74, 29.75, 29.84, 29.87

“Doesn't have any early speed and is drawn poorly so looks unlikely to win, however he has a great place record and can work home into some minor money.”

Odds to win the Launching Pad: $34 with William Hill

Box Six – Dundee Osprey
Black Dog – 26.0kg – December 2013
Fabregas x Dundee Rose
Prize money: $26,760
Trainer: Geoffrey Scott-Smith
Career: 16: 7-1-2
Box: 2: 1-0-0
T/D: 3: 2-0-1
T/D Best: 29.11
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 29.11, 29.28, Cranbourne 30.30, 30.49, Warrnambool 25.64, 34.26, Horsham 32.76

“Has won four of his last five including a scorching 29.11 over the track and trip. If he had drawn the inside I would be able to tip him with a lot more confidence, but he can be a little tardy early so he will need some luck from the awkward alley.”

Odds to win the Launching Pad: $4.20 with Crownbet

Box Seven – Dream Edition
Black Dog – 33.7kg – December 2013
x Dream Chick
Prize money: $39,309
Trainer: Angela Langton
Career: 26: 7-7-7
Box: 3: 1-0-0
T/D: 17: 7-5-2
T/D Best: 29.43
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 29.43, 20.45, 29.55, 29.60

“Has won his last two in nice style and he is well boxed out wide. Not blessed with terrific early pace but he should get a nice run from the black and be able to put himself into the race around the first turn.”

Odds to win the Launching Pad: $14 with William Hill

Box Eight – Demon Bale
Black Dog – 33.0kg – March 2014
Bella Infrared x Fyna Bale
Prize money: $28,185
Trainer: Blake Shillington
Career: 12: 5-4-1
Box: 1: 1-0-0
T/D: 7: 2-4-0
T/D Best: 29.83
Career Highlights: WON The Meadows 29.94, 29.97, Sandown Park 29.83, 29.88

“Yet to win throughout the series but has run a couple of nice races. Should get clear galloping room in the early part of the race and will get the chance to make his own luck and get himself into a nice spot.”

Odds to win the Launching Pad: $12 with William Hill

1st Reserve – Fantastic Roxy
Blue Bitch – 27.0kg – September 2013
Goodesy x Light Fantastic
Prize money: $25,296
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 15: 7-4-1
Box: N/A
T/D: 2: 1-0-1
T/D Best: 30.09
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 30.09, The Meadows 30.31, Wentworth Park 29.92

“Has a fair bit of ability but she can be slow to go in the early stages and she would need a lot of luck to overcome that trait and score in a final such as this.”

Odds to win the Launching Pad: $21 with Sportsbet

2nd Reserve – Zipping Zeus
Black Dog – 35.8kg – December 2013
Magic Sprite x Scarlett Girl
Prize money: $26,775
Trainer: Carolyn Jones
Career: 13: 7-1-3
Box: N/A
T/D: 6: 3-1-2
T/D Best: 29.61
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 29.61, Cranbourne 30.12, The Meadows 30.29, Sale 29.89

“Strong chaser which will need to draw an inside box to be a realistic chance of causing an upset.”

Odds to win the Launching Pad: $21 with Crownbet

Tips: 2 – 1 – 7 – 5

Sign-up with William Hill and claim up to $700 in bonus bets to place on the Launching Pad final.

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