Addington greyhound tips & quaddie picks | Thursday, February 23
A high-grade meeting is set down for Thursday at Addington with the feature being race 10, the Selwyn-Rakaia Vet Stakes over 520m. Read on to see our best bets and value picks for the day's action.
Best Bet: Opawa Kyle (Race 9)
We go straight to the feature race to find the bet of the day in Opawa Kyle. Goldstar Carlito had to break 30 seconds with the red rug on to beat him last week and this time he draws less favourably in the six box, while Opawa Kyle is out in his preferred wide box draw of eight. Opawa Kyle showed enough speed seven days ago to say that with a similar quick beginning he should be able to cross over to the lead before the first bend. He has more than held his own since arriving in the top grade, and with that magic Fahey polish he is expected to have enough on them turning for home that he should be able to hold on for another victory.
Danger: Goldstar Carlito
Will probably start favourite in this race after producing another sub-30 time to defeat the top selection last start, but will have a more testing box draw on this occasion, which may be enough for him to be a taking a risk on him. With that being said, he is a powerful dog over this trip and would only need some clear air heading into that first corner to be just too good for them again.
Best Bet
Race 9 – 
Opawa Kyle (8)
Form: 1362 | Career: 16: 6-3-1 | Trainer: J & D Fahey
Next Best Bet: Dembe (Race 7)
Dembe has been a consistent performer at the highest level for some time and certainly won't lack for fitness after finishing runner-up over the 645m two starts back. He couldn't get into it off a squeeze box last time out, but today he gets a lovely swing in the draws with the red rug on. More important is the drop in grade, going down to a straight C4 field this evening, and if he can stay handy to them down the back, then he could have the last say. It is a handy field, so there should still be some value about him in the markets.
Danger: Centurion
Centurion is a kennelmate of our best bet and is more known racing over a longer distance these days with his latest effort being a third over the 645m last week, beaten only by a length against some of the best stayers in the land. He is going to get back early for sure, but his astute trainers have cleverly slotted him back in grade to a C4 contest. He proved four starts back that with a clear run he is still capable of running a very quick time over the 520m middle distance, so he should not be left out of any calculations.
Next Best
Race 7 – 
Dembe (1)
Form: 7625 | Career: 63: 13-15-12 | Trainer: J & D Fahey
Best Value: Opawa Chrissy (Race 5)
There may be some value about Opawa Chrissy, who is dropping back in distance from winning a staying race over 645m last week. The fact she is facing a straight C3 field is encouraging; also she has been flying the traps early and has been taking luck out of the equation. This field is by no means an easy C3 line-up, but there does not appear to be much early speed, so she is a big chance of finding the front early and that should be the end of the penny section. For some reason, punters like to stay away from dogs dropping back in trip, so hopefully a good price can be had on race night.
Danger: Opawa Anita
Kennelmate Opawa Anita finished runner-up behind the top pick in the same race last start and has been much improved at her last two runs. She is capable of making a quick start on her day and should get a clear run with inconsistent trappers to the inside and outside. She is well placed in this class and is worth including in all multiples.
Best Value
Race 5 – 
Opawa Chrissy (5)
Form: 2511 | Career: 59: 20-10-4 | Trainer: J & D Fahey