2015 Group 2 Shootout – free tips and best bookmaker odds
THE greyhound racing spring carnival continues this Friday night with the running of the Group 2 Shootout at Sandown Park.
Run over the 515 metre sprint, the race will see four of Australia's top chasers go head to head in a speed racing battle, with the victorious connections collecting a sizeable $50,000 winner's cheque.
The favourite for the race is the ultra-consistent Kayda Shae, $2.40 with Sportsbet, which will exit box five for in-form trainer Kelly Bravo. The son of Kilty Lad and Cosmic Aphrodite has not started since his brilliant second behind Fernando Bale in last month's Group 1 Topgun at The Meadows, with a forward showing expected from the red fawn flash.
Dyna Double One, $3.20 with Luxbet, will be trying to end his Group race hoodoo when he jumps from box seven. The black powerhouse is a 10 time Group finalist, with his only success thus far being in the Group 3 Perth Cup Consolation at Cannington, with a further six placings to his name including a recent third in the star-studded Topgun field.
NSW campaigner Brad Hill Billy ($7), which took out the Group 2 Bob Payne Sprint Sprint at Wentworth Park in September, is blessed with an abundance of ability and also comes into the Shootout following a start in the Topgun. The son of Kinloch Brae and Break Even finished nine lengths behind the winner in fifth spot and will jump from box three in this week's feature, the only box he is yet to win from throughout his 45 start career.
Rounding out the field is the exciting Sulzanti ($4) for Brooke and Jamie Ennis, which burst into calculations for the race when running a breathtaking 29.09 over the track and trip last start. A winner of seven of his 11 starts, the regally bred son of Magic Sprite and Scissor Queen will be assisted by his box one draw, but will need to do everything right against three seasoned Group competitors.
The Group 2 Sandown Shootout is race six on the card and will jump at 8:48pm AEDT.
Group 2 Sandown Shootout – 515m
Box One – Sulzanti
Black Dog – 33.0kg – September 2013
Magic Sprite x Scissor Queen
Prize money: $24,875
Trainer: Brooke Ennis
Career: 11: 7-1-1
From box: 1: 1-0-0
T/D: 6: 4-0-1
T/D Best 1st Split: 5:08
T/D Best Overall: 29.09
Career Highlights: WON Sandown Park 29.09, The Meadows 29.95
“Exciting talent who comes into this race with only 11 starts under his belt, however he did announce his arrival to the big time with an eye popping 29.09 win here last time out. He clearly has the talent to match these types of chasers, however last week he began as quickly as he possibly could and yet he could still only register a 5.08 to the first marker. If he records a similar sectional tonight, he is likely to be sitting around third at the first corner and he must lead to win a race like this. Going to be a star in the future but I dont think he is ready for this race.”
Odds to win the Shootout: $4 with Bet365
Box Two – Vacant
Box Three – Brad Hill Billy
Black Dog – 31.4kg – January 2013
Kinloch Brae x Break Even
Prize money: $134,230
Trainer: Ray Smith
Career: 42: 15-11-7
From box: 5: 3-1-1
T/D: 0: 0-0-0
T/D Best 1st Split: N/A
T/D Best Overall: N/A
Career Highlights: WON 2014 Group 2 Launceston Cup, 2015 Group 2 Bob Payne Spring Sprint, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Topgun
“Absolute beast when on song and he is capable of an upset if he can come out on terms. His most recent efforts haven't been that impressive, however his past two have come at The Meadows which isn't a track that really suits him. He is having his first try here, however the track suits his racing pattern and people seem to forget that this bloke almost ran down Smart Missile at The Gardens when they both broke the track record back in August. Would probably trial around the 29.05 mark on his own but the small concern with him is his lack of early speed. If you're looking for a blowout, he is the one.”
Odds to win the Shootout: $7 with Sportsbet
Box Four – Vacant
Box Five – Kayda Shae
Red Fawn Dog – 33.8kg – June 2013
Kilty Lad x Cosmic Aphrodite
Prize money: $172,330
Trainer: Kelly Bravo
Career: 23: 10-8-1
From box: 4: 3-0-0
T/D: 8: 2-4-0
T/D Best 1st Split: 5:06
T/D Best Overall: 29.27
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 2 Cyril Rowe Cup, 2ND 2015 Group 1 Topgun, 2015 Group 3 Cranbourne Puppy Classic, 3RD 2015 Group 1 Adelaide Cup, FINALIST 2015 Group 2 Warrnambool Cup
“All class and thoroughly deserves to snag a big race. Last time out he ran the race of his life when narrowly beaten by Fernando Bale. Tonight he finds himself in a race which lacks genuine early speed, so if he comes out cleanly he should have no trouble finding the early lead and taking control of the event. With a clear run, he should be running around the 29 flat mark and I think his opponents will find it too difficult to reel him in. He is currently around the $2.40 mark and that appears to be a nice price.”
Odds to win the Shootout: $2.40 with Sportsbet
Box Six – Vacant
Box Seven – Dyna Double One
Black Dog – 35.5kg – March 2013
Barcia Bale x Crystin Bale
Prize money: $266,148
Trainer: Andrea Dailly
Career: 38: 20-8-5
From box: 6: 1-3-1
T/D: 5: 1-0-2
T/D Best 1st Split: 5.10
T/D Bes Overall: 29.36
Career Highlights: WON Albion Park 29.51TR, 2015 Group 3 Perth Cup Consolation, 2ND 2015 Group 2 WA Derby, 2015 Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic, 2015 Group 1 Winter Cup, 3RD 2015 Group 1 Silver Chief Classic, 3RD 2015 Group 1 Topgun, FINALIST 2015 Group 1 Golden Easter Egg, 2015 Group 1 Maturity Classic, 2015 Group 3 SA Derby, 2015 Group 1 Adelaide Cup
“Clearly the most gifted and talented chaser in this race, however he does appear to race better at The Meadows and, although he didn't have a lot of luck here last week, he was still a little disappointing. The smaller field will definitely work in his favour but he will still need to begin better and he won't want to get caught too wide in the run to the first turn. I'm hoping Kayda Shae pings and he comes out well too, and if he can settle within a length or two of the lead, it should turn out to be an amazing race. I think Kayda Shae will have his measure and that purely comes down to the early speed advantage.”
Odds to win the Shootout: $3.20 with Luxbet
Box Eight – Vacant
1st Reserve – Secret Spell
Black Bitch – 28.8kg – January 2013
Bartrim Bale x Wicked Witch
Prize money: $243,035
Trainer: Kelly Bravo
Career: 37: 20-2-2
From box: N/A
T/D: 9: 3-0-1
T/D Best 1st Split: 5.00
T/D Best Overall: 29.26
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 1 Hume Cup, 2014 Group 3 Cranbourne Puppy Classic, FINALIST 2014 Group 1 Adelaide Cup, 2014 Group 2 Ballarat Cup, 2015 Group 1 Maturity Classic
Odds to win the Shootout: $9 with Sportsbet
2nd Reserve – Fever Pitch
Black Dog – 34.9kg – March 2013
College Causeway x Drama Queen
Prize money: $110,170
Trainer: Rin Divirgilio
Career: 32: 16-2-4
From box: N/A
T/D: 9: 5-0-2
T/D Best 1st Split: 5.01
T/D Best Overall: 29.27
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 3 SA Derby, 3RD 2015 Group 2 Launching Pad
Odds to win the Shootout: $6 with Sportsbet
Top Four: 5 – 7 – 3 – 1
Suggested Bets
Win bet on Kayda Shae
Trifecta: 5/7/1,3 ($2 for 100%)
Trifecta: 5/7/3
Trifecta: 5/3,7/3,7 ($2 for 100%)