Shoulders is one of the most inexperienced runners in the race but the dog could not be boxed better in Friday night’s Group 1 Sportingbet Megastar.
The Anthony Azzopardi-trained greyhound has box one in the Dapto race, with National Sprint Championship winner Chica Destacada, who is not a “hard’’ railer, in two.
Box three will be occupied by the two year old baby of the field, Tommy Brislane, another greyhound who tends to run in a straight line to the first bend.
While Shoulders led all the way to win in a near record 29.36 at Wentworth Park on August 23, the Maturity runner-up proved he could come from behind when he ran down Lacey Lois in 29.69 at Dapto last week.
“I couldn’t be happier with the draw or the way Shoulders pulled up after his Prelude win last Friday,’’ Azzopardi said.
“I’m very confident and all he has done since last week is free galloping at home, which is exactly what he does after each race.’’
Shoulders is rated a $3 winning chance with Sportingbet and looks a threat.
Chica Destacada ($5) was expected to break the 30 second barrier when she trialled at Dapto last week.
While she recorded 'only' 30.18, trainer Doreen Drynan is not too concerned.
“I was disappointed with her time but although it was a solo trial she did not seem to begin as well as she usually does,’’ Drynan said.
“And although Chica Destacada has a good record from wide boxes I wanted her to draw near the rails against a top field like this.
“That being the case I’m happy with box two because it is nearly impossible to come off somewhere like box eight and run around dogs like this and win.’’
ZIPPING Willow ($3.80) trialled solo at Wentworth Park last Saturday night and trainer Jason MACKAY was disappointed with her 29.98 run.
“She needed that hitout but even so I expected her to run around 29.70,’’ MACKAY said after the trial. “Her early splits were good but she did not get to the line as strongly as I expected.’’
Ritza Hattie ($16), resuming from a four months injury and seasonal spell, has drawn poorly in box six and trialled only 30.26 at Dapto last week.
Best trials were posted by Tommy Brislane ($6.50) at 29.81 and Queensland Derby winner Flash Reality ($4.60), the only interstate raider, who clocked a brilliant 29.78.
But clockers said Flash Reality was doing his best work at the finish so he will need luck from box four, especially with keen railer Woods ($51), the rank outsider,outside him in box five.
For expert tips on the Megastar, click here.
Trainer Shaun Evans is “OVER the moon’’ at his dog Recruitment drawing box one in Friday night’s Dapto Leagues Club Sprinters Cup final.
Recruitment was an unlucky fourth from box seven in his heat but on Friday has a dream draw, with wide runners Crowie’s Chance and Heza Cosmic in boxes two and four respectively.
“Recruitment could have been a run short in last week’s heat,’’ Evans said.
“He split the webbing on his foot when he ran third in the Phil Davis Memorial at Richmond on August 9 and I had to rush his preparation to have him ready for last week’s the heats of the Sprinters Cup.’’
Box one should also yield the winner of the 600m United Technology Services Final with Cyclone Simone carrying the red rug and tipped to lead throughout.
After being unbeaten in two Dapto 600m races she was sent out a $2 favourite in last week‘s heats but after being hampered at the start from box six she was flattened at the first turn and ran a mighty race to beat all but the placegetters in Big Bad Gerald’s heat.
The race is part of the Thank Dog It's Friday series, which showcases the best regional racing in NSW in a primetime Friday night slot.
For more information on the series, click here.
Best Bet: Shoulders (Race 8)
Best Value: Cyclone Simone (Race 7)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 1, 8, 6
Race 6 – 1, 2
Race 7 – 1, 2, 7
Race 8 – 1, 2
$20 for 55.55%
