Sandown Park late mail – the best bets in Thursday’s big races
A MASSIVE night of racing awaits on Thursday night at Sandown Park, with the running of the Group 3 Bill Collins Speed Star (515m), the Group 3 Racecallers (595m), and the Group 3 Lizrene Classic (715m).
Each feature is packed full of quality, with some of the best greyhounds from Victoria and across the country converging at the Melbourne track for a crack at the lucrative riches on offer.
To help you find some winners across the night, Australian Racing Greyhound has previewed each of the main events, with details on where you can find the best odds available for each runner.
Race Three – The Bill Collins Speed Star
2016 marks the first year the Bill Collins will be run in the innovative Speed Star concept.
This year's feature will see the eight fastest greyhounds (based on times run at Sandown Park between February 1 and May 1) meet for four two dog match races. The winner of each match race will pocket $10,000, with the fastest winner overall pocketing an additional $15,000.
Our bookies are offering fixed odds betting on both the match races themselves and the overall series winner, with Group 1 Temlee winner Dalgetty the $4 favourite with Sportsbet to take home the title.
Trained by Jason Thompson, the son of Stagger and Rockin' Along is the fastest qualifier for the series, having clocked an incredible 29.09 over the track and trip. He will meet kennel mate Invictus Rapid ($26 with Crownbet) in the second match race of the night (set to jump at 7:54pm), with Dalgetty to step from box three and Invictus Rapid drawn ideally in box one.
There has been a massive go for another Thompson-trained runner – Burn One Down – in the third match race (at 8:03pm). As much as $21 was on offer for the son of Buck Fever and Fancy Jaffa earlier in the week, with the best odds available now being $9 with Crownbet. The black dog broke his maiden at Sandown in a flying 29.16 coming from off the speed, with the two-out concept sure to suit him down to the ground. His competitor on Thursday will be his litter brother, Buck Forty, which also has a massive motor and is rated an $11 shot with Bet365. The 37 kilogram powerhouse drops back to the sprint trip after winning impressively over the 595m distance here last start, with the Group 2 Launching Pad winner holding a personal best over 29.23 over the 515m.
Punters can secure $4 with Bet365 for recent Perth Cup-winner Blazin' Bomber to take out the overall series, with the Darren Pattinson-trained chaser qualifying for the top eight with a 29.17 trial here last Sunday. He will jump from the outside alley in the first match race (at 7:45pm) against the talented Dundee Osprey ($21 with Bet365) which cannot be discounted at the big odds. Trained by Geoff Scott-Smith, Dundee Osprey has won just seven from 20, but proved he has a big engine with a stunning 29.11 win at Sandown Park in February.
The final match race (8:12pm) will see Queensland bitch Outside Pass ($7.50 with Sportsbet) take on Anthony Azzopardi's Major Jackpot ($21 with Sportsbet). Outside Pass has had just the one look at the track, clocking a flying 29.10 in her qualifying trial on April 28. With natural improvement she is sure to be a key player.
Major Jackpot stamped himself as a speed machine when taking out a semi-final of the Group 2 Launching Pad in 29.12 in March.
Tip: BURN ONE DOWN to win at $9 with Crownbet
Race Six – The Lizrene Classic
Lioness Lulu is one of the most improved greyhounds in training and has transformed into a top class stayer in her most recent starts. She comes into Thursday's race after a two-week break following her sixth placing in the Group 1 Galaxy in WA, with the front runner ideally positioned in box two to bounce on the bunny and lead all the way. The $4.80 available with William Hill looks a very nice price.
Luna Jinx ($8 with William Hill) is a very moody bitch, but if you can catch her on her night she is an absolute freak. She holds a sensational 41.34 personal best over the track and trip and if she could produce anything near that time she would blow this field away.
Come One Fantasy ($4.80 with Bet365) is another which is hit and miss, but returns to the fence which she should relish. She holds a very good record from inside boxes and she will be aiming to push up along the fence and race in a forward spot throughout the event.
Wind Whistler ($15 with Sportsbet) is a very consistent greyhound which hasn't missed a top three finish in his last seven starts. Trained by Angela Langton, the son of Premier Fantasy and Seminole has run 41.95 here, but he is probably capable of going a touch quicker and if he can he is capable of running home into some minor money.
Tip: LIONESS LULU to win at $4.80 with William Hill
Race 7 – The Group 3 Racecallers
No Donuts ($1.90 with Bet365) is a multiple group 1-winner and he has had a freshen-up for this race which should see him ready to pounce straight to the early lead. Beautifully drawn towards the fence, the son of Fabregas and Chevy Princess clocked a slick 34.06 over the track and trip last start, with a repeat performance set to see him take home the winner's prize.
Lithgow Panther ($7.50 with Bet365) returned to his best form with a terrific 29.85 win at The Meadows last start, with the rise in trip a definite advantage for the Rob Britton-trained chaser. The black dog is probably better suited closer towards the fence, but he should be left alone from box seven and given the chance to work himself into the race.
Zipping Kane ($5.50 with Sportsbet) is an ultra consistent greyhound which has won two from four over the track and trip. Can be tardy out of the boxes but if he can find a nice spot early from box one he should be able to get into the event and finish in some money.
Vegas Bound ($23 with William Hill) is the interesting runner. She normally walks out but some of her wins at Ipswich have been massive over the 520m trip. The step up to 595m looks ideal, but she faces another class of dogs in this race. Not confident to tip her to win, but the $4.40 to place with Sportsbet looks a nice price.
Tip: NO DONUTS to win at $1.90 with Bet365