Albion Park’s Washout Makes Superb Racing This Week
Last Thursday night's washout of Albion Park's meeting has led to a double header this week with two feature races on the card.
The Greyhounds Queensland Young Guns Final was rescheduled to this week after severe thunderstorms hit Brisbane causing the abandonment of the race night.
The $14,700 Young Guns will share the limelight tonight with the running of the 2008 Sky Channel Summer Cup trophy race, which is a 520m Best Eight worth $5,800 in prize money.
The field for the Young Guns has remained the same, with fastest qualifier Genista Thunder, and box one's Surfin Silence, set to dominate the betting ring alongside Draks, which is a strong chance.
The Sky Channel Summer Cup is expected to be fought out to the line also with several hot contenders in the race.
Returning from a very impressive campaign in New Zealand to win the $250,000 Platinum Paws, and a close second in the $120,000 New Zealand Cup, Size Can Matter will jump from box four.
Size Can Matter should start favourite for the race with his blistering times in New Zealand, regularly breaking the 30second barrier.
Cole Sherwood's Lucky Alive will also start in this race fresh from Wentworth Park after being nominated to race at Albion Park last Thursday night.
Another thrilling race on the card is the Best Eight Hawkins Media Solutions 600m (Race 9).
James Madigan's star bitch Sassy Sprite has her first start back at Albion Park since September, and has shown that she can perform over distance at the Creek scoring quick wins over 710m.
However, it seems to be mid-ground for the bitch, who is from the same litter as Queen Lauryn, with three starts at Brisbane over 600m for three thirds.
She will have to work hard to beat the Albion Park 600m king, Black Ruler, who jumps from a favourable box two.
Other chances in the race include Tony Zammit's One Missing, who draws an inside box after seeing a barrage of wide draws recently.
Xanadu's Image will also be one to watch consistently placing over the distance against tough competition including Black Ruler, and Albion Park history maker, Black Monty.
Thursday night's 710m (Race two), will feature Robert Giltinan's good stayer Smart Choice.
Jumping from box eight, Smart Choice boasts a track and distance record of five starts for two wins and one second.
Also in contention form for this race is Helen Keep's consistent bitch, Thistle Whistle, which is sure to be in the final three.
Another exciting race will be the Rush Hour Personal Training 520m (race four) which sees Reg Kay's Dual Enforcer return to Brisbane.
Several greyhounds are sure to fight it out in what will be a tough battle, with the in-form Bosanova Blue jumping from box one, Kayleen Thrupp's Gannon from box two, and quick dog Straight Wicked from box five.
Impeccably bred Bogie Ace, who is by Black Enforcer and out of Bogie Leigh, will also be a contender.
In other Queensland greyhounds news, Julie Edmondson and Reg Kay have Made to Size jumping from box two in Thursday night's Group One Melbourne Cup at Sandown.
Made to Size won his heat last week in a very quick 29.70 and is priced a $2.70 favourite.
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Andy Albion's Best Bets:
- Race 1 Number 3 Bogie Blue
- Race 3 Number 7 Black Framed
- Race 4 Number 7 Dual Enforcer
- Race 5 Number 1 Suna Surf
- Race 7 Number 4 Size Can Matter