Greyhound racing resumes at The Meadows after an industry strike put a halt to last weekend’s meeting.
We start off the program with an early bet in race one and the best bet of the night coming in race two on the card.
The meadows race 1
#1 donny rocks
Going against the Reloaded form line and sticking fat with Donny Rocks who has been unlucky since a sharp debut victory three starts ago.
His last two efforts have seen either strike traffic or just draw poorly for a dog of his racing style.
Box one will be ideal for him given he is still learning his craft has a race dog.
Dropping back to a Grade 7 level race after competing and being outclassed as well as having no luck in a special event race should see him come close to winning.
Suggested Bet: Donny Rocks win at $3.90
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 1/ 6/ Field
The Meadows Race 2
#2 Mepunga Freda
Mepunga Freda has been in fantastic form since resuming from a 104-day spell.
She launched out of the boxes at Geelong over 460 metres and bolted in with a slick 25.92 which was followed up by a brave runner-up finish as a $1.60 favourite when not much went her way.
That last start run will bring her beautifully for this race and expect her to find the lead easily here from the inside box.
Her 30.14 time last Wednesday would win this race with a leg in the air but she could run sub-30 if she shows the natural improvement in fitness given she now has two races under belt this preparation.
She is the best of the night by a long way.
Suggested Bet: Mepunga Freda win at $2.6
the Meadows race 3
#4 Vardan bale
Mark Delbridge does not race his dogs immediately after a win for no reason.
Vardan Bale was a smart winner on Wednesday at The Meadows over 525 metres and backs up at the same track and distance.
He is a dog that needs time to wind up and is clearly still learning what the racing is all about given his nature to be a bit tardy away from the boxes.
If he gets the clear air he needs from box four then look out for him late.
He has a booming mid-race turn of foot and a huge finish that will see him competitive in this Saturday grade affair.
Suggested Bet: Vardan Bale each-way at $6 the win and $1.90
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 4 & 5
The Meadows race 9
#2 Zipping Rambo
A match race in two between Zipping Rambo and Hank the Hustler but we are siding with the latter who represents better value.
Hank the Hustler he comes up quite short in the maret given he has to cope with the travel back from Queensland.
Zipping Rambo is flying despite not winning at his last three starts.
He has a significant starting price advantage over his main threat from when they last met on June 24.
Zipping Rambo was also unlucky when going down as a $1.70 favourite over 595 metres.
Happy to completely ignore that run and price him on his best form.
Suggested Bet: Zipping Rambo win at $2.15
The Meadows Race 12
#8 carry on maxwell
Death by inside.
That was the fate ordained to Carry On Maxwell’s winning chances last start after he was crossed from barrier one and checked out of the race as a $1.60 favourite.
He is dog that needs to find space given the way he wins up his big, lumbering strides and box eight will allow him to do that.
You only have to scroll back two starts ago to see what he is capable of from a wide box after he scorched the dirt at Sandown with a brilliant 29.32 victory in the black blanket.
A repeat of that performance would render him nearly unbeatable in this race.
Suggested Bet: Carry On Maxwell win at $3.5
Suggetsed Exotic: Trifecta – 8/ 1, 6/ 1, 2, 3, 6
