The Group Two Sandown Shootout will hold the greyhound racing spotlight tonight with four superb chasers primed to showcase their best when the lids fly open. The Shootout, first run in 1998, has been won some of the best greyhounds our sport has seen including Go Wild Teddy (2000), Bombastic Shiraz (2003), Whisky Assassin (2004) and Xylia Allen (2013).
The 2014 edition will see another set of powerful paws thunder their way home to victory and into the history books beneath the aforementioned stars. Following the scratching of Banjo Boy after a veterinary examination this morning, the Jeff Britton trained Oakvale Destiny has gained a start from the cherry.
Let's take a look at the contenders for the 2014 Group Two Sandown Shootout –
Ken Virtue (Trainer): “He certainly wants to draw inside. He is such an excitable race dog, not so much in nature, but when he gets in the boxes. He is a hit and miss beginner and there is nothing we can do about that. At least he is one the fence so he has a chance to muster if he blunders the start a little bit.”
Best Sandown Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
29.34
29.40
6.45
5.03
Box 2
Race Odds
Heat Replay
Vacant
Trainer
Owner
Prizemoney
Last 10 Starts
by
–
Start
Middle
Finish
Prizemoney Rating
Rating
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
Box 2 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
Best Sandown Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
Box 3
Race Odds
$4.80
Heat Replay
Iva Vision
Trainer
Peter Young
Owner
Conlon Miller Young Syndicate
Prizemoney
$59,175
Last 10 Starts
2111181121
30 Months
Black
Dog
by
Ivan
Brown
–
Visualization
Start
Fair
Running
Rail
Finish
Prizemoney Rating
$3,480
Rating
90
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
17
11
3
0
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
65%
82%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
1
1
0
0
Box 3 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
2
2
0
0
ARG opinion is – Dazzled on debut at the track in a slick time of 29.43 last start. He wasn't the best away, but there is not too much speed in the race so he should be able to position himself well in the early stages. The half field should give him plenty of room to move and every chance to show off his best.
Darren McDonald (Trainer) : “Once again it's a very hard race with three other very good dogs. I'm hoping, more than anything, that he can begin well and be up in front. If he is up in front he will be very hard to beat, but any of the four could win the race.”
George Dailly (Co-Trainer): “He is drawn perfectly, it's where he wants to be, we are just hoping that everything works out good. Hopefully he will get around the first turn, not get interfered with and be close enough to the leaders to run them down. Half way down the back we will know whether he will be able to get there or not.”
Best Sandown Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
29.31
29.87 (5th)
5.14
5.24
Box 8
Race Odds
Heat Replay
Vacant
Trainer
Owner
Prizemoney
Last 10 Starts
Start
Running
Finish
Prizemoney Rating
Rating
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
Box 8 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
Best Sandown Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
1st Res
Race Odds
$7.00
Heart Replay
Oakvale Destiny (BOX 1)
Trainer
Jeff Britton
Owner
N Wilson
Prizemoney
$223,525
Last 10 Starts
1534113132
26 Months
Blue
Bitch
by
Vapour
Whirl
–
Foot
Luce
Start
Slow
Running
Rail
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$8,278
Rating
97
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
27
11
3
5
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
41%
70%
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
10
3
2
2
Box 1 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
5
2
0
2
ARG opinion is – Ran a phenomenal second last start in the Group One Topgun, proving that she is right up to top company. She is a back marker with a massive motor and is a genuine shot.
ARG opinion is – Super WA bitch which is a new addition to Jeff Britton's Anakie kennel. She is a high speed individual which also possesses strength and determination. She is right in this, should she gain a start.
Best Sandown Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
NBT
NBT
NBT
NBT
Banjo Boy looked to be the leader in the race and following his scratching it leaves the field without any early speed. Iva Vision isn't quick out but he shows good pace once he hits the ground, as does Awesome Project. Those pair will probably be vying for the front around the first turn.
Oakvale Destiny and Allen Deed are both boxed well and will probably be doing all the chasing. I think they are the two strongest in the race and if either can get a clear run and be within striking distance of the leaders down the back, they will take some holding out.
