A cracking field will contest the 2014 running of the Group Three Sir John Dillon Memorial tomorrow night. Run over 595 metres at Sandown Park, the race will see some of the state's elite sprinters make the step up in trip while some of its consistent stayers will drop back down to the middle distance.
Lets take a look at the runners in this year's race and hear what their connections have to say about their chances.
Darren McDonald (Trainer) – He should go alright, he has got a good box and he has had a good week so he has no reason not to go well. He will be relying on a couple of the other dogs, the two and the three get off the track, so hopefully he can get a run through and be pretty competitive.
Steve Collins (Trainer) – “She wants the middle of the track but I still think the draw will suit her because she can angle out on the corner. I think her and the one (Awesome Project) will be the frontrunners and I think she will probably make the race for him. She runs about three wide for most of the trip, he has probably got the right draw on the inside of her. She will probably shepherd him away from the other dogs going into the corner, but it just depends on how he comes out and how she comes out.”
Best Sandown Park Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
34.11
34.11
9.19
9.19
Box 3
Race Odds
$11
Heat Replay
Joey Valdez
Trainer
Ben Divirgilio
Owner
Sharp Syndicate
Prizemoney
$43,450
Last 10 Starts
3215162112
May 2012
Fawn
Dog
by
Dyna Lachlan
–
Miki Thompson
Start
Moderate
Running
Middle
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$1,975
Rating
96
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
22
9
7
3
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
41
86
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
1
0
1
0
Box 3 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
3
0
1
2
Ben Divirgilio (Trainer) – Box three probably suits him. There is speed in the one and two but Blinker's On doesn't have much pace, hopefully he can do everything right to put himself in the race. It was his first go at the 595 last week and he got a little bit lost going through the catching pen so I think he will find a little bit on that run.
Brooke Ennis (Trainer) – He is drawn ok, but it is probably not his suited distance. He put in quite a good run last week, he got squeezed coming out of the boxes and he made his way though the field quite good. I think he will be better for the run, he hadn't had much work going into his heat after the Bold Trease. He has just got to do everything right and hopefully he can be up near the leaders early.
Best Sandown Park Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
34.18
32.35 (2nd)
9.35
9.86
Box 5
Race Odds
$18
Heat Replay
Flying Twist
Trainer
Andrea Dailly
Owner
Kim Holloway
Prizemoney
$84,430
Last 10 Starts
1112444263
August 2011
Black
Bitch
by
Velocette
–
Valley Twist
Start
Moderate
Running
Rail
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$1,508
Rating
85
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
56
15
6
6
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
41
78
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
12
1
3
1
Box 5 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
7
1
1
1
ARG Opinion – Does not have a great record from the draw or over the track and distance. Lacks the early zip of some of the other runners and is probably better suited over the staying trip.
Best Sandown Park Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
34.65
34.55 (2nd)
9.22
9.48
Box 6
Race Odds
$14
Heat Replay
Nockabout Aussie
Trainer
Peter Akathiotis
Owner
Peter Akathiotis
Prizemoney
$100,970
Last 10 Starts
1134566143
July 2011
Blue Brindle
Dog
by
Knocka Norris
–
Aussie Nicky
Start
Moderate
Running
Rail
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$1,364
Rating
87
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
74
16
12
9
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
22
50
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
10
0
3
1
Box 6 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
9
2
1
1
Peter Akathiotis (Trainer) – The draws haven't been kind to him lately, he has been getting five, six, seven and eight and he is not really suited to them. He is not a brilliant beginner, his strength is his finish so I am hoping he can run a place. I can envisage a fair bit of trouble in the race because there are a few dogs that want to get to the lead early and they are starting on the bend so I want him to miss the kick a little bit and go back to the rail.
Best Sandown Park Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
34.21 (2nd)
34.41 (3rd)
9.41
9.62
Box 7
Race Odds
$3.00
Heat Replay
Ralphy Cinel
Trainer
Joe Borg
Owner
Michael Crowe
Prizemoney
$60,940
Last 10 Starts
1211116441
November 2011
Black
Dog
by
High Earner
–
Fantasy Parade
Start
Good
Running
Middle
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$1,904
Rating
92
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
32
12
6
2
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
38
63
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
7
4
1
1
Box 7 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
3
0
0
1
ARG Comment – Dazzling heat winner last Thursday but he does not have a great record from the outside boxes. If he can step cleanly and position himself well in the early stages he will take a power of beating but he will have to overcome his dislike of wide draws to do so.
Best Sandown Park Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
33.94
33.94
9.08
9.10
Box 8
Race Odds
$31
Heat Replay
Skyfire
Trainer
Shane Drummond
Owner
Hermanos Cielo Syndicate
Prizemoney
$36,020
Last 10 Starts
2122243142
March 2012
Black
Dog
by
Dyna Lachlan
–
Proven Lilly
Start
Moderate
Running
Middle
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$1,059
Rating
88
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
34
8
11
3
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
25
69
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
4
0
3
0
Box 8 Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
4
0
2
0
Shane Drummond (Trainer) – I just hope he gets a clear run. I think the eight will suit him because I think some of the others might crash to the rails and he doesn't do that so hopefully he can stay wide and get a clear run around them through the first bend.
Best Sandown Park Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
34.47 (2nd)
34.47 (2nd)
9.48
9.48
1st Res
Race Odds
$7.00
Heart Replay
Starc
Trainer
Andrea Dailly
Owner
Chris Nutt & Shaun Evans
Prizemoney
$42,865
Last 10 Starts
534225F423
October 2012
Black
Dog
by
Bekim Bale
–
Glory Of Love
Start
Moderate
Running
Middle
Finish
Strong
Prizemoney Rating
$1,531
Rating
84
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
28
5
10
3
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
18
64
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
1
0
0
1
Box – Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
–
–
–
–
ARG Comment – Very strong chaser but takes a while to start his motor. Probably not well suited to this distance and class.
Best Sandown Park Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
34.62 (3rd)
34.62 (3rd)
9.56
9.56
2nd Res
Race Odds
$21
Heat Replay
Big Kat
Trainer
Carl Schlensog
Owner
Carl Schlensog
Prizemoney
$46,890
Last 10 Starts
3213728124
March 2012
Black
Bitch
by
Bekim Bale
–
Messines
Start
Moderate
Running
Middle
Finish
Good
Prizemoney Rating
$ 1,042
Rating
82
Career Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
45
8
8
7
Strike Rates
Win %
Place %
18
51
Track & Dist.
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
2
1
0
0
Box – Record
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
–
–
–
–
ARG Comment – Looks outclassed and will need a lot of help if she were to gain a start.
Best Sandown Park Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
35.35
34.34 (4th)
9.62
9.62
Awesome Project (1) is in the best kennel in Australia and he was very good in claiming his heat in 34.23 last Thursday. He did get a little tired in the final stages but that was to be expected at his first run over the middle distance since winning over 600 at Gosford in November last year. Lamia Bale (2) is expected to shift off the track which would provide him with a trouble free run on the rails and if he steps and is able to hold his position he should take a power of beating.
Lamia Bale (2) is in terrific form and was a dominant 34.11 heat winner at her 595 metre debut last week. She will want to get off the track a bit so it is important that she clears the field before doing so to avoid causing herself trouble.
Joey Valdez (3) has been crying out for the middle distance for a long time and was solid in his second placing behind Awesome Project last week. He did a few things wrong in his run last week and with an attempt at the trip under his belt he should improve.
Blinker's On (4) drops back in trip which isn't ideal but he is probably the strongest runner in the race. He can't afford to give them too much of a start but if he gets clear room he is a major player.
Ralphy Cinel (7) is the fastest qualifier and broke the elusive 34 second barrier in his heat but he is not as good from the outside as he is from the inside. He is normally a great beginner but can't afford to do anything wrong against this classy lineup.
