Steven Clarke (Trainer) – He has got his box so hopefully he takes advantage of it. He can be a little bit tardy from the boxes but if he can begin with them he certainly has the speed to match it with them.
ARG Comment – Melbourne Cup winner that was very impressive in his 25.94 heat win. Has been jumping consistently well lately and would prove very hard to catch if he bounces on the bunny.
ARG Opinion – Has won five of his last seven and began well last week but he comes up against a terrific field and looks like he will have to improve a few lengths or hope for a lot of interference to win.
Kelly Bravo (Trainer) – It is probably not the greatest box for him because he needs a clear few strides early to get moving, if he gets that he goes ok.
ARG Opinion – His heat run was his first start since finishing fourth in the Group One Melbourne Cup behind Dyna Villa. He put in a terrific run last week and is right in the race if he can begin cleanly.
Anthony Bullock (Trainer) – I give him a big chance. I think it depends on what the one (Big Ticket) and the two (Dyna Villa) do at the start…if he begins like he did last week I will be very happy.
Kelly Bravo (Trainer) – His heat run was impressive. Hopefully being drawn off the track will allow him to get clear room to get into the race and he won't find too much trouble. The Tassie dog in the pink (Señor Slamma) seems to go pretty straight, it doesn't crash down to the fence, so as long as he (Ride The Rails) can begin with them I think he will improve a lot from his heat.
Gary Johnson (Trainer) – He likes the outside but the key to the dog is that he has got to jump to win. He usually runs pretty good sections and his second section is where he usually clears out away from them.
ARG Comment – A very fast greyhound that is capable of clocking some scintillating times. He is tardy at box rise but has great acceleration when he is given time and room to balance up. Will need luck if he gains a start but is more than capable on his night.
ARG Comment – Class runner of the field that has been a little disappointing at his last two starts. Despite this, he is one of the best dogs in the race and would prove hard to beat if he gains a start
Best Hobart Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
25.77
26.01 (2nd)
5.09
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Dyna Villa (2) is the class runner of the race. He is the winner of this year's Melbourne Cup and is a genuine Group One star. He is drawn well in box two on Thursday night and if he can get room to move in the early stages he should get to the front and prove very hard to run down.
A few of the dogs in this race are hit and miss early but, if they time the start right, they can really fly. Big Ticket (1) looks to be a quality dog in the making and he has the ability to match it with any of these if he begins with them. Box one will help him but he can't afford to let them get away from him in the early stages. He is the fastest qualifier coming into the race so must be respected.
Above All (5) ran a phenomenal race in his heat after striking trouble in the early stages. He didn't manage to break 26 but the style of the win was amazing. You would think if he steps well he is good enough to challenge for the lead and take out the title.
Senor Slamma (8) is in terrific form as a winner of 11 of his past 12 starts, but he comes up against a whole new class of greyhound tonight and will have to make a big step up in grade.
Ride The Rails (7) has had two starts back since fracturing a hock for two outstanding wins. He is fast enough to win but he can mix his box manners and that won't be any help in a Group One field. Hellyeah Bolt (6) is a quality dog but his form is hit and miss. He was back to his best last week but it is a big ask to do it again the following week and he only has an average strike rate from the green. Not saying he can't win, but he would need to do everything right.