2015 Group 3 Magic Maiden tips & betting preview

THE Group 3 series has again unearthed some talented youngsters, with Kim Hyde's Kihael Kaluna the most impressive thus far throughout the 2015 series.

Stepping out in a heat two weeks ago after some impressive performance trials at over 450-metres, the son of and She's The Goodes blitzed his opposition by thirteen-and-one-quarter lengths in a sizzling time of 29.69. The 28kg lightweight his impressive form last week in a semi-final, jumping well from an awkward middle draw to score by four-and-one-quarter lengths in a fast 29.75. Despite coming up with box six for the final, Kihael Kaluna is the deserved $2.65 favourite with William Hill and only needs to step cleanly to go close to claiming his first Group win.

Three other greyhounds have also come through the series unbeaten, with 's Black Bear Lee posting a smart time of 29.81 last week in his semi-final. The regally-bred son of and Paua Of Love has shown genuine early pace in both runs throughout the series, however he will need to be on his best behaviour at box rise with Kihael Kaluna on his outside.

Inside runner Dear Darcey has been the surprise packet of the series, scoring two impressive wins including a speedy personal best of 29.89 last week.The John Ayoub-trained chaser is a huge chance from the inside alley after posting a quick early split of 5.39 last Friday evening.

Down Every Road has broken the 30-second barrier in both of his wins at Wentworth Park, recording a fast personal best of 29.88 last week. Melinda Finn's chaser has the advantage of a slow beginner on his outside, however will need to begin sweetly to ensure he gets the run in front of Kihael Kaluna which is on his immediate inside.

The winner will receive $25,000 in prize money, with second to collect $6,250 and third taking home $3,125.

The Magic Maiden is race three on the card and is scheduled for 7.48pm AEDST.

Box One: Dear Darcey
Black Dog – 35.3kg – August 2013
x Awesome Star
Trainer: John Ayoub
Career: 2:2-0-0
T/D: 2:0-0-0
T/D Best: 29.89
Career Highlights: WON Wentworth Park 29.89

“Has continued to improve throughout the series and he really impressed me last week when he managed to hold out the highly talented Zipping Meg in the drive to the line. In the first round he won easily but he didn't appear to hit the line very well, however last week he really found the line well after setting the pace where he managed to post a super impressive 29.89. He has the speed to hold them out early and if he does he might boot away mid-race and steal the prize.”

Odds to win the Magic Maiden: $3.90 with William Hill

Box Two: Aqua Phoenix
Black Dog – 28.0kg – April 2013
x Chins
Trainer: Tia Robertson
Career: 2:0-2-0
T/D: 2:0-2-0
T/D Best: 30.02
Career Highlights: Personal Best Wentworth Park 30.02

“Another who has improved as the series has gone on and she is going to be a quality chaser in the future. I dont give her much of a hope tonight as this race features an abundance of early speed and she might get shuffled back in the early stages. To have any chance tonight she would need to find the lead and rely on some trouble behind her.”

Odds to win the Magic Maiden: $18 with William Hill

Box Three: Zipping Meg
Fawn Bitch – 28.5kg – January 2013
x Cho Chang
Trainer: Martin Hallinan
Career: 4:1-2-0
T/D: 2:1-1-0
T/D Best: 29.90
Career Highlights: WON Wentworth Park 29.90

“Has looked super impressive in her two efforts throughout the series and with an ounce of luck early she will be right in the finish. She is blessed with a big engine but my slight concern is her lack of early zip. She can box well but she doesn't have the same mustering ability as some of her rivals, if she can balance up in the first four as they head for the back she will be able to make an impact. I'm not overly convinced she can win tonight but I think she is a lock-in for a top four finish and I think in the future she is going to make a very nice stayer.”

Odds to win the Magic Maiden: $11 with William Hill

Box Four: Kevro

Swift Fancy x Inflated Ego
Trainer: Kenneth Burnett
Career: 2:1-1-0
T/D: 2:1-1-0
T/D Best: 30.10
Career Highlights: WON Wentworth Park 30.10

“There is no doubting he has plenty of talent, but I did not that in the first round he did have a tendency to be very ‘wayward'. The box draw hasn't been too kind tonight and with the speed drawn on his outside I think he faces a tough task in trying to hold them out at the first bend. His first sectionals in the two rounds to date have him at the back of the pack early and I can't really see him giving his opponents a big head start and winning. He does have talent though, so I wouldn't be leaving him out of my exotic bets.”

Odds to win the Magic Maiden: $19 with William Hill

Box Five: Black Bear Lee
Black Dog – 35.1kg – May 2013
Brett Lee x Paua Of Love
Trainer: Ruth Matic
Career: 3:2-0-0
T/D: 2:2-0-0
T/D Best: 29.81
Career Highlights: WON Wentworth Park 29.81

“Was one of the early favourites for this series and he hasn't disappointed with two explosive heat wins. On both occasions he has gone around the 5.40 mark to the first peg and he has then gone into overdrive mid-race. He is going to need to begin brilliantly again to win but his form suggests that he is capable of that. There isn't a whole lot of speed drawn directly underneath him tonight, so if he can step on terms I can see him driving to the early lead or at worst sitting outside the red at the first bend.”

Odds to win the Magic Maiden: $4 with William Hill

Box Six: Kihael Kaluna
Black Dog – 28.3kg – April 2013
Oaks Road x She's The Goodes
Trainer: Kim Hyde
Career: 2:2-0-0
T/D: 2:2-0-0
T/D Best: 29.69
Career Highlights: WON Wentworth Park 29.69.

“Is the top rater on talent but I think the draw evens things out and I think he is a bit of a risk tonight. He has clearly been the most impressive chaser throughout the series having been the fastest qualifier in both rounds. He has gone 5.36 to the first marker on both occasions and he will need to probably go a tad quicker to get across and that is why I'm willing to risk him tonight. He is obviously going to go on and be a major player in future big races but tonight I think its best to just include him in your exotic bets.”

Odds to win the Magic Maiden: $2.65 with William Hill

Box Seven: Down Every Road
Black Dog – 32.2kg – January 2013
World Title x Miss Bel Air
Trainer: Melinda Finn
Career: 2:2-0-0
T/D: 2:2-0-0
T/D Best: 29.88
Career Highlights: WON Wentworth Park 29.88

“Has broken the 20 second barrier in both rounds and he appears to be improving with every run, however like Kihael Kaluna, he is going to need to lead to win and from the wide draw he can't afford any mistakes in the early stages. His sectionals in the two rounds to date have been good but they haven't been spectacular. He obviously still has plenty of improvement in him, but I believe he can fill a place at best tonight as there is just too much speed underneath him.”

Odds to win the Magic Maiden: $5 with William Hill

Box Eight: Nit Noi
Black Bitch – 24.5kg – July 2013
Where's Pedro x Midnight Quest
Trainer:
Career: 6:0-4-2
T/D: 2:0-2-0
T/D Best: 30.13
Career Highlights: Personal Best Wentworth Park 30.13

“Still a maiden after seven starts but she has been very unlucky to date and she shouldn't be too far away again at nice odds. Her lack of early speed suggests that she isn't a winning prospect, however she will stay out wide and she does hit the line quite well. If she avoids bother at the first bend I can see her running home into some minor money.”

Odds to win the Magic Maiden: $23 with William Hill

Box Nine: Zipping Keith
Blue Dog – 31.6kg – December 2012
Smooth Fancy x Natalie Rass
Trainer: Trevor Jones
Career: 10:0-3-4
T/D: 2:0-0-2
T/D Best: 30.24
Career Highlights: Personal Best Wentworth Park 30.24

“Actually showed a lot of improvement last week but he meets some gun youngsters and he will find the going tough. If he gained a start he will be settling well back in the field and he can't reel these in.”

Odds to win the Magic Maiden: $23 with William Hill

Box Ten: Privacy
Black Dog – 34.7kg – March 2013
Fabregas x Doyen Star
Trainer: Gary Williams
Career: 2:1-0-1
T/D: 2:1-0-1
T/D Best: 30.05
Career Highlights: WON Wentworth Park 30.05

“Exciting talent which didn't have a lot of luck last week when he was posted wide for the entire trip. He was super impressive when scoring in 30.05 when on debut here the week before and if he happened to start from a rails draw he would be a serious contender.”

Odds to win the Magic Maiden: $13

Top Four: 1 – 5 – 3 – 6

Suggested Bets:

Win bet on Dear Darcey at $3.90 with William Hill

Trifecta: 1/3,5,6/Field ($18 for 100%)

Trifecta: 1,3,5/1,3,5,6/1,3,4,5,6,8 ($36 for 100%)

Boxed Quinella: 1,3,5,6 ($6 for 100%)

Exacta: 1,3,5/1,3,5,6 ($9 for 100%)

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