Queensland’s Young Guns Line Up For A Shot At $10,000
A selection of Queensland's best young greyhounds will line up this Thursday night for their shot at the $10,000 Greyhounds Queensland Young Guns series.
The Young Guns series will kick off at Albion Park with five quality heats this Thursday, with the final to be run next Thursday night.
The Young Guns is an opportunity for the State's most promising young greyhounds to compete on a level playing field, with the race restricted to greyhounds that are 30 months or younger.
Thursday night's heats will see several up and coming stars hit the track, including Terrence McCarthy's Rattle And Hum in the first heat (Race Two).
After a short stint down south at The Gardens, Rattle And Hum returns in his first start back in Brisbane since clocking in at a blistering 29.91 in the January Young Guns Final.
Tawny Shiraz may prove some competition from box five, with her early speed sure to help set a trying pace.
Heat Two (Race Three) is expected to feature Intelligence as favourite in the betting ring, having proven he has what it takes from box four with a record boasting all top three finishes wearing the blue.
Shooster, in box six, seems to be the main competition for Intelligence.
Recent improvement from the Peter Roy-trained Royston Renegade will make for an exciting third heat (Race Four).
Royston Renegade, who will jump from box three, has shown great form this year, running two great times close to 30-seconds in his four starts in '09.
However, he will need to jump well with Big Baz inside (box two) who has a good record of finding the lead first.
Heat Four (Race Six) of the night will be a local derby featuring Robert Giltinan's promising performer Inflammable, and Ron Ball's proven sprinter Straight Wicked, from boxes one and three, respectively.
Inflammable posted a career best time on January 8 of 30.29 from box five, and the inside box will definitely be in his favour.
Straight Wicked also boasts a best time of 30.29 set last year, and has had a steady preparation for the Young Guns including an easy three-length win last Monday night.
The last heat of the night (Race Seven) will have Gnarraloo a popular choice for punters, with a career best time of 30.06 from box six on January 7.
Jumping from box eight tonight, the Malcolm Dawson-trained bitch by Surf Lorian and out of Suna Silence has a solid Albion Park record of six top-three finishes of nine starts over the distance.
Strong Breeze in box one will be one to keep an eye on in this race also, with Reg Hazelgrove's confidence in her ability marked by her trip down south to the Gardens last week.
The rest of the race card on Thursday night will feature some quality greyhounds, including potential Group dog Kay Size State.
Kay Size State easily won the Australia Day Cup at Albion Park last week from box four, and is expected to step up again this week from box five.
However, the challengers will be looming from all directions, with proven 30second dog Sangio King in box two, and Lee Wylie's Watts Wise in box eight.
The last race of the night, the Hawkins Media Solutions fourth grade 520m, boasts a solid field including local improver, Sideways.
The Michael Chapman-trained dog makes the step up a grade after a strong win last week ahead of Archie Kane.
Jumping from box six tonight, Sideways will not be without his hurdles, with Peach Bikini in box three, Smart Blonde in box one and Kaycee Diva in box seven.
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Andy Albion's Best Bets :
- Race 1 Number 1 Shadow Boxer
- Race 2 Number 3 Rattle and Hum
- Race 4 Number 3 Royston Renegade