Best Multicam Black Top Ever At The Gardens
There have been some great winners of the Group Two Multicam Black Top since its inception in 2005, including the 2009 Australian Greyhound of the Year, Cindeen Shelby and Group One winner One Tree Hill, but tonight's running is the best overall line up of greyhounds in the race's short, but illustrious history.
In an open final, worth $35,000 to the winner, veteran chaser Snozz will more than likely be the punter's elect at jump time. Trained by champion Hunter Valley mentor Jason MacKay, Snozz was the fastest qualifier, running 29.51 in last week's heat.
“He's rising four years of age and it would probably be quicker to go through the injuries he hasn't had rather than list the injuries he has had, but at the moment he is going the best he has ever gone” said MacKay.
Standing in Snozz's way will be the Group One Nation Futurity winner, Daydream and Group One National Derby winner, Elite Blue Size.
Trained by Reg Kay, Elite Blue Size missed the start in his heat, before driving through on the first turn and running away with the prize. His time of 29.88 was only moderate considering the flashy blue galloper ran 29.33 in his Derby victory
“He'll need to begin a lot better than he did in the heat, but if he leads, they'll have a job catching him” Kay told the crowd at The Gardens yesterday
Brett May, the trainer of Daydream, also has the group one winners litter sister, Bit Stressed into the Multicam Black Top Final, a great effort considering he only has a handful of greyhounds in work.
“I think Daydream is my best chance, but Bit Stressed is very speedy and it would surprise to see her in front around the first turn” Said May during the week
Master Lochinvar trainer Ken Cheetham has the exceptionally fast New Divide jumping out of box four. Cheetham has been training top class chasers for well over four decades and would dearly love to win the signature on his home track.
“I was a great mate of Frank Holmes (the owner/trainer of Black Top) and it would be a great honour to take out the race honouring Black Top, especially at The Gardens” the proud trained said
Multiple Group winner, Flash Of Light will be flying the flag for the Victorians in tonight's Group Two Final and it will be her second appearance in the race after running fourth last year behind Cindeen Shelby.
One dog that won't be in the speed battle early, but will be charging home when it counts is the Group Two Peter Mosman winner, Tuiaki. Named after the West Tigers NRL star and trained in Sydney by Neville Brown, Tuiaki trialled in a sensational 29.3 in the lead up to the series and will be the value runner of the race.
Lukekely Magic has been scratched from the final this morning and will be replaced by the talented Nicholas's Habit in box three.
The is also a great support races on the 11 race card, including the ‘Macca' the Multicam Black Top Consolation, named in honour of the popular Hunter Valley race caller John McDermott and the Lord Mayor's Cup over 600 metres, which has drawn a small but quality field.
Big Bunga, the Group Two Galaxy winner will also be having his first start since his Tweed Heads triumph, where he downed Elite Blue Size in the $25,000 to the final.
The Gardens will have full TAB coverage and be seen on Skyracing2, while the feature event of the night, the Group two Multicam Black Top will also be shown on Skyracing1 and is scheduled to jump at 7.08pm AEST.
Sky Racing's Ben Damon, from The Catching Pen will be live trackside with all the late mail and the interviews with trainers engaged in tonight's big feature.
You can bet live at The Gardens with Sportsbet or Iasbet with the first race of the program scheduled to kick off at 5.29pm AEST.