2014 Group Three SA Derby Heats Preview
The males get a chance to strut their stuff at Angle Park on Thursday night in the heats of the Group Three SA Derby. The ladies will be battling out in the final of the Group Three Oaks.
The 2014 Derby is open to the best male greyhounds whelped on or after March 1, 2012. Four heats of the $25,000 race will be conducted and here's a look at the best chances in each race.
Heat One – Race 3 at 7:25pm
This race should be an interesting battle between Dyna Alchemist (1) and Iva Vision (3). Dyna Alchemist has won his last three races at The Meadows and Sandown Park. His last win was a best-on-night 29.44 performance at Sandown. The Superman and Talia Bale (Fortified Rush – Brenell Bale) dog won from this draw last start so he looks well placed for this race.
Iva Vision, a Queenslander by Ivan Brown and Visualisation (Surf Lorian – Lestaro) has won three of his last four coming into this. He trialled 29.80 at the track back in late August and then returned to Albion Park last week to run a disappointing last behind Fred Sealey in a mixed fourth and fifth grade event. Overall, he has won eight from 13 and is capable of leading. He is also proven on the clock as he has clocked a fast 29.62 around Albion Park. Hopefully he can make the trip worthwhile for his Queensland trainer Peter Young.
Of the local hopes, Punishment (7) comes into the race with four wins from his last five starts. The Collision and Madam Lash (Just The Best – Miss Bossy) dog has raced over the 400m at Gawler and 388m at Angle Park in his last two starts. He steps back up to 515m for this but he has won three from eight at the track with a best of 29.84. This will be the first time he jumps from box seven in his career.
The other promising local type is King Canute (8). The youngster is yet to turn two years of age and has only had the five starts, winning four of them. The majority of his wins have been over the shorter distances but he stepped up to 515m racing last week for a solid 30.30 win from box eight. The Bekim Bale and Bralyn Ella (Pure Octane – Bralyn Maisie) dog has shown a penchant for the pink, now winning twice from the box. His mother ran third behind Mepunga Nicky in the 2011 SA Oaks.
Heat Two – Race 4 at 7:44pm
Hostile (6) hopefully won't prove to be just that when he makes his debut at Angle Park under race conditions. The Collision and Restless Style (Surf Lorian – Double Guess) dog has been to Angle Park for two trials and has performed well both times, clocking 29.60 and 29.51. In between those two trials he won at Sandown in 29.58. He has won seven from 20 overall and has recorded a 29.59 track record run around Geelong.
Drawn next to Hostile is strong type Wind Whistler (7). The Premier Fantasy and Seminole (Big Daddy Cool – Call Collect) dog is trained in Victoria by Angela Langton but had the benefit of a start at the track two weeks ago, winning in 29.88. He is not noted for his early pace but finishes strongly.
For experience and form at the track, Dakota Premier (4) stands out. He has 10 wins from 12 starts at Angle Park and has a best time of 29.57. The Premier Fantasy and Dakota Bird (Stately Bird – Top Treat) dog is always thereabouts in the early stages, so he could really challenge for the win in this race. He has won two from three out of the box and has won 12 from 17 overall in his career.
The other dog with good form at the track is Footrot Fanning (2). The Surf Lorian and Koombooyana Miss (Fortified Rush – Koomboyana) dog has four wins from nine at the track and a best of 29.99. He lacks early pace which may see him find some trouble.
Heat Three – Race 5 at 8:08pm
Dyna Ostrander (8) has won four of his last five, which includes wins at Cranbourne, Sandown Park and The Meadows. The Heston Bale and Dyna Panama (Gable Lafourche – Raisa Bale) dog will be having his first look at the track and will be seeking to notch up his first win from box eight.
Cool Guinness (3) has won nine from 16 at Angle Park including a best time of 29.80. He is a very reliable beginner and will be hunting for the lead early. The Premier Fantasy and Cool Keepsake (Big Daddy Cool – Corrumbene Lass) dog is still searching for his first win from box three. His best form is from outside boxes.
Big Zap (7) has impressed on the clock at Angle Park with a best of 29.65 at the track. He has four wins from 11 starts over this distance and comes into the race on the back of some racing over the middle distance trip. The Superman and Boss Ready Made (Big Daddy Cool – Emerald Shoes) dogs form has been mixed as he has won just two of his last five. He has form from outside boxes.
Heat Four – Race 6 at 8:28pm
Dyna Villa (2) looks tough to beat in the final heat. The Collision and Roxio Bale (Droopys Vieri – Francesca Bale) dog has won nine from 11 and has won four of his last five. If he races up to this form he should be adding another win to his tally.
Aston Kane (5) has won 13 from 15 including seven from eight at Angle Park. The El Galo and Aston Elite (Bombastic Shiraz – Elite Oriental) dog has a best of 29.57 and has won from the middle draw. He has pace and often leads so he will present a big threat to Dyna Villa.
Since the calendar clicked over to September, Opus Bale (8) has found winning form, winning his last two. Overall, he has only won three from 16 but the recent purple patch he has hit shows he may be on the improve. The wins were at Shepparton and Geelong over the shorter 400m distance. The High Earner and Maple Bale (Spiral Nikita – Vista Bale) dog needs to be near the lead to be chance and will have to cross Aston Kane and Dyna Villa from box eight.
Alderley Reform (1) is well boxed and has won his last four at Angle Park. The Yahoo Omar and Bananarama (EA's Itzaboy – Cheeky Intent) dog is bred to show pace. The rails draw brings him right into the race and he could cause a minor upset at healthy odds.