2015 Group 2 Warrnambool Classic tips, preview & runner comments
NINETEEN heats of this year’s Group 2 Warrnambool Classic will be run and won in Victoria over the next two days featuring some highly talented youngsters chasing the $75,000-to-the-winner prize on May 6.
Twelve heats will be run on Tuesday, followed by a further seven on Wednesday night.
Australian Racing Greyhound’s expert tipster, Brad Bugeja, has previewed each and every heat of the time honoured feature, bringing you his top four numbers and opinions on each event.
If you think Brad’s tips are on the money, open an account with William Hill for up to $700 in bonus bets.
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Nunya Tron has shown plenty of talent in his brief career to date and he is blessed with an abundance of early speed. He has scored two wins from wide draws and one of those wins was here two runs back in a solid 25.66. He was slow to begin on that occasions and he found a little bit of bother, from the pink he should fire to the early lead and he will be running around the 25.40 mark.
Black Illusion powered to the line in his two recent placings here and he shouldn’t be too far away again, the latest effort was behind the classy Fratelli Fresh so that effort was super impressive. He is going to need some luck early but either way he should finish in the top four.
Tron’s Son has been sparingly raced of late but he does possess a lot of talent and he does have high speed. From the rails draw he should push through into a prominent spot early and he should make an impact.
Top Four: 8 – 3 – 2 – 4
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Noosa Rocket has the good draw and he has scored some blinding wins in his career to date. Two starts back he was airborne soon after box rise and he destroyed a handy lineup when posting 25.28 at Shepparton. He should be leading from go to whoa tonight and I’m expecting him to get down to the 25.20 mark or better. He looks a safe bet with online bookmaker William Hill.
Emry’s is all class and he will be charging home at the end. He is better suited to a longer trip but he should be able to trail through early and settle within four lengths of the red, I dont think he will reel him in but he should grab the quinella spot.
Rambo’s Party is better than his form reads and he can show smart early speed in his races, if he steps cleanly he could settle in the top three early and take home some minor money.
Aqua Vitae rounds out the chances, she is hit or miss early but she can run time when given a clear run.
Top Four: 1 – 2 – 3 – 6
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Shared Equity has been absolutely flying in recent weeks and she capped off a good stretch of form with an eye popping 25.09 win here last week. She has been faultless in the early stages of her races and her sectionals are off the charts. There is no speed drawn around her tonight so she should be leading throughout.
Dewana Result is probably the most gifted chaser in the series but his box manners can sometimes let him down. I’m expecting him to settle midfield early and he should work into contention as they round for home, however I think he will be giving the leader too big of a head start.
Come On Fantasy is better suited to a longer trip but the wide draw will suit and she can run home into the minors.
Feel The Wrath probably rounds out the chances, he has the good draw and he might be able to settle a bit closer to the speed than normal.
Top Four: 2 – 4 – 8 – 1
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Zoe is a very reliable beginner and she finds herself in a race which features a number of stayers. She should be able to fire to the early lead and I’m expecting her to set up a mammoth lead mid race. Her effort when placed at Shepparton last time out was ultra impressive and she should prove too zippy for this lot. If you can snag $2.40 or better with William Hill, that is great odds.
African Storm has the good draw and he has won here previously in a handy 25.61. There is very little speed drawn directly outside him so he should be able to settle in the top four early and then run home into the quinella spot.
Dewana Babe is a classy stayer who has strong place claims, she will be giving them a fairly big head start tonight but she should charge home into third or fourth spot.
Future Past is well drawn out wide and he turned in a strong effort when placed here last time over 390-metres, if he lands on the back of Zoe early he should run a big race.
Top Four: 4 – 1 – 8 – 2
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Nayla Swift is armed with high speed and she has done her best racing to date from wide draws. From the pink tonight she should be able to carve across and assume control at the first bend and with the lack of depth in this event she should be winning easily. She will be very short with William Hill but she could be a good anchor in all of your multi bets.
Sharnica has been placed in six of her past eight and some of those efforts have been in good times. She will need some luck from the squeeze draw but if she balances up in the first four she should finish in the money.
Etched In Black was a solid 29.79 Sandown Park winner three runs back and he should give a great sight. His recent racing has been over the 515-metre journey but his sectionals aren’t too bad so he should be able to settle somewhere near the speed.
Lektra Crash is the only other chance, he is better than his recent form reads and the red draw is a big advantage for him.
Top Four: 8 – 5 – 2 – 1
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Amelia Christa has won four of five to date and her win at Horsham two runs back in 26.93 was ridiculous. On that occasion she stepped cleanly and soon after that she went into overdrive, her first two sectionals were breathtaking and she made the classy Jamiela Twist look second rate. There are a couple of handy ones in this event so you might be able to snag around even money.
Eyes Adorable is another lid pinger and she recently scored two handy wins at The Meadows. She has won here previously in a zippy 25.33 and if she reproduces that type of effort she will make the favourite work hard for victory.
Fast Noodle comes here with solid QLD and SA form and he is suited to the wide draw, he has a good turn of foot and he should get plenty of room to balance up from the suitable draw.
Miss Tron rounds out the serious chances, she has a top record here and she has enough early speed to match it with the more fancied runners.
Top Four: 7 – 5 – 8 – 3
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Ballerino was a recent finalist in the Launching Pad and he was desperately unlucky in that final. Tonight he has drawn well out wide and he has won here previously in a slick 25.37. There is a small concern about the speed drawn in eight but if he steps on terms he should balance up in the top two early and he will prove too strong in the run home.
Lektra Utopia is the obvious danger, he was a brilliant 29.90 Meadows winner two runs back and he is capable of pinging the lids, he will need some luck from the middle but there is no doubting his talent.
Fleetwood Zac turned in a strong performance when placed here two runs back and he should figure prominently again, he lacks the brilliance of the other two but he is reliable and he always seems to put himself into contention.
So Much Joy can’t be forgotten about, he has won two of four over this trip and he can show sizzling early speed in his races.
Top Four: 7 – 4 – 2 – 8
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Pay Da Trail hasn’t won two many races of late but he has been taking on some star sprinters and he should appreciate the drop in class tonight, the draw doesn’t help but he should get a nice cart across from the three in the early stages. His box manners are solid but his biggest asset is his turn of foot, if he gets room in the first 50-metres he should roll to the front and score with ease.
Good Judge Buddy is a slow beginner but he will hook wide and he is very strong in the run home, he has been racing very well at Sale of late and he does have the benefit of having raced here on three occasions.
Proven Scary is a big danger, she caught the eye with a great 25.52 win here two runs back and from the red she should be in a prominent position for most of the trip.
Cosmic Lily rounds out the chances, she has won three on the trot in easier class but she has good speed and she could cause some trouble for the other well fancied runners.
Top Four: 4 – 5 – 1 – 3
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Lektra Outlaw is having his first look at the track but he appears to have the class edge and if the red can hold them out early he should be able to get a nice trail into the race. He recently beat the speedy Armed And Ready at Sandown Park over 515-metres and if he turns in a similar performance he should be winning again.
One Step Beyond is armed with blinding early speed and he should settle in the top two in the early stages. The red may get him to work a little hard early so he may struggle in the run home but either way he should finish in the top three.
Riley’s Planet has been placed in six of his past eight starts and he has a solid 25.56 PB here, if he can reproduce that type of effort he should put himself right in the mix.
Boo Shan is a well bred debutant and he is a member of a strong local kennel, it may be worth watching betting moves with him.
Top Four: 2 – 4 – 3 – 8
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Like his brother, Dewana Hitman is an excitement machine and he should make an impact in this series. He is a much better beginner than his brother and he possesses the same high speed. From the two draw he should be able to push through and assume control soon after the start and if the track is in good nick he should give the 25 second barrier a solid nudge.
Exuberant is the obvious quinella prospect, he is much better than his recent form suggests and he has scored some sizzling provincial wins in his brief career to date. He should trail the Hitman for most of the journey and he won’t be too far away at the end.
Weston East is going to be giving them a fairly big head start but he is still capable of taking ground off them in the run home. He is a multiple city winner and from the pink draw he will get every chance to muster speed and make a strong move mid race.
Premier Hawk rounds out the place hopes, he was a strong 25.62 Ballarat winner two runs back and he has the ability to sneak home into third spot.
Top Four: 2 – 3 – 8 – 6
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Dewana Lass is obviously better known over longer journeys but she has been well served by the box draw and she finds herself in a very winnable race. She is normally slow to begin but she generally picks up speed quite well and I’m expecting her to settle in the first half of the field. I’m expecting her to run around the 25.40 mark and that would see her win with considerable ease.
Compelling was a speedy 24.04 Bendigo winner when on debut in March and if he can reproduce that form he should give a nice sight. He isn’t overly strong in the run home but if he sets up a nice lead mid race he may just pinch the event.
Spangher comes here with strong Mount Gambier form and he should be fairly competitive, he is likely to get back early but he should be running home into third or fourth spot.
Pulciano rounds out the hopes, he should match motors with Compelling early and he shouldn’t be too far away when they reach the winning post.
Top Four: 8 – 3 – 2 – 5
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Lektra Concord has scored some flying wins at Sandown Park in recent months and he finds himself in a very winnable race. He is normally a very good beginner and if he reproduces his 5.04 first section from Sandown he should be rolling to the early lead. He has a fair bit on these and he should be winning.
Sonic Dash has won his past two at Sandown Park and The Meadows respectively and he should put some pressure on the favourite for most of the journey, I dont think he can reel the leader in but the quinella spot looks likely.
Destini Lobo has poor form at present but he is a strong chaser and he might be able to sneak home into some minor money, outside of the top two selections, this race lacks real depth so he should be value for the place.
Mepunga Atom is an improving type and he rounds out the place hopes, he can show early speed and he should be thereabouts.
Top Four: 7 – 3 – 4 – 2
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Dashing Roman is a member of the powerful Robert Britton kennel and she hasn’t had much luck since coming across from Tasmania. She is clearly much better than her form indicates and she won’t find an easier race to win. She is blessed with good early speed and she should be leading throughout in this event, making her an excellent win bet with William Hill.
Wadelock Latte was a slick 22.77 Warragul winner in January and he too is armed with smart early speed. He was very unlucky when resuming from a spell here last time so I’m expecting an improved performance tonight.
Watta Barghest comes here with solid provincial form in NSW and he must be respected from the good draw, he has had three runs from a spell and he should be ready to fire.
Twist Away rounds out the chances, she will appreciate the empty draw underneath and she could cause an upset.
Top Four: 7 – 3 – 1 – 6
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Pyromania can be a little hard to follow at times but he did post a blistering 25.65 Geelong win two runs back and if he reproduces that type of effort he will be winning. He has a very wide runner drawn directly on his outside, so if he steps cleanly he should get every chance to drive through and assume control and I can’t see them reeling him in.
Fred Of Lidsdale has only had the four race starts but he has won here in 25.75 and he does hit the line very strongly. The empty draw on his outside will help him get out into some open space and he should fill the quinella spot.
Watta Specter turned in a strong performance when placed at Goulbourn two runs back and he shouldn’t be too far away again, he can’t go with the favourite but he is a must for your exotic bets.
Crymelon Monarch rounds out the place prospects, he lacks early speed but he will hit the line strongly.
Top Four: 3 – 4 – 6 – 2
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
What’s Chewing is an absolute beast when switched on and with an ounce of luck early he should blow them away. Two starts back he timed the start to perfection and was never in doubt when posting an eye popping 29.79 win at The Meadows. He will be short odds but I can’t see him being beaten, so it may be best to anchor him up front in your exotic bets.
Zigstar set the track alight at Shepparton two runs back with a sizzling 25.24 win and a repeat of that would see him make the favourite work very hard for victory, however if the favourite has a clear run he won’t be able to hold him out.
Living Waters is a must for your exotics, he showed great early speed when placed here two runs back and he should be in the mix for a long way again tonight.
Four Elements rounds out the place chances, he will be suited by the empty draw underneath and he should run a cheeky race.
Top Four: 2 – 3 – 7 – 6
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Percy’s Lad can be a little unreliable at box rise but he has an empty draw on his outside and he should get every chance to push through and settle in the top two early. Last time out he hit the line well when scoring at The Meadows in 30.31 and four runs back he caught the eye with a brilliant 25.43 Shepparton win. He appears to have a fair bit on this lot and he should be winning.
Macey Blue is a brilliant beginner and she should be in the mix for a long way, I think she will struggle in the final 50-metres or so but if she gets away mid race she may just steal the race.
Fearless John turned in a great effort when placed here last week behind Shared Equity, on talent he would be my top pick but I am a little concerned about his lack of early speed.
Top Four: 4 – 6 – 3 – 8
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Stop Moochin’ is a faultless beginner and he has scored two sizzling wins on the trot at Sale and Horsham. On both occasions he exploded soon after box rise and he was never in doubt in both races. From the red tonight he should be able to hold them out and he will make every post a winner.
Rennicane is clearly the danger, he has won three of eight to date and he has been placed in one of two tries here. There is very little speed on his outside so he should get a clear run early and that will allow him to fill the quinella spot.
Evening In Paris was a smart 23.68 Horsham winner four runs back and she isn’t without a hope, she can be a little hit or miss early but if she comes out she can make an impact.
Top Four: 1 – 4 – 6 – 3
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Splash Mountain has been struggling in recent times but he is much better than that and I’m expecting an improved performance from his good draw. He has been placed in two of four here and when given a clear run he is capable of mustering speed at a great rate. He should be around the $4 mark with William Hill and that is great odds for a chaser with his ability.
Dark Jameson will likely start favourite and he is clearly a great chance of winning, my only concern with him is that he can miss the kick at times and he may get shuffled back early. He will still hit the line strongly so he should be able to fill the quinella spot with the pink.
Boo Shey rounds out the serious chances, she returned to form with a strong 30.30 Meadows win and she has been placed in five of nine here with two of those efforts being wins.
Fourfive Seconds is an interesting runner, he is a royally bred chaser and he is in good hands, watch for any betting moves.
Top Four: 8 – 3 – 6 – 1
1st: $3,000 2nd: $600 3rd: $300.
No.NameFormBestTrainer
Fear The Best has been racing in very consistent fashion of late and he finally returned to the winners list with a brilliant 22.18 Shepparton win. The middle pin is a small concern tonight but he generally boxes quite well so he should assume control soon after the start.
You Ash Kim turned in a great performance when placed here two runs back and if she can reproduce that type of form she will make the blue work hard for the win.
Loch Roman is a former Tasmanian chaser and she hasn’t had much luck in her two runs for the Robert Britton kennel, I think she is better than her form reads and she could be the value in the event.
Southwood Lloyd must be included in your exotic bets, he can show early speed in his races and he should be able to find the rail soon after box rise.
Top Four: 4 – 3 – 7 – 2