Tiggerlong Amigo, Astronomic">Astronomic and Conconut Grove are among the ones to watch as Cannington hosts four heats of the Group 2 Solo All Stars Sprint (530m) on Saturday evening.
Outside of the Perth Cup, the All Stars is the richest and most prestigious race over 530m in WA.
It’s a race that has developed a great history since the inaugural running in 1977 with an honour roll that reads like a who’s who of the best sprinters produced in this state as well as a smattering of very talented eastern states greyhounds thrown in for good measure.
This year’s version doesn’t appear to have a clear cut favourite heading into the heat stage as there are question marks surrounding big name contenders Tiggerlong Amigo, On Coin and Te Amo.
The evenness of the series is typified in the first heat (race 5).
The Darren McDonald-trained Tiggerlong Amigo is the sole interstate chaser in the series and probably deserves to jump as the punter’s elect given he annexed the WA Derby on this surface in May.
Even so he hasn’t kicked from that win on as McDonald would have liked and he brings mixed form into this race.
From an inside draw Tiggerlong Amigo needs to be respected but he’s yet to prove himself against open class opposition.
With the advantage of the pole Astronomic could play a huge role in this.
Astronomic is back racing in WA following a pretty successful stint in Victoria and he can very effective on his night, as he showed when he ran 30.23 over this distance in February.
The Ben Abercrombie-prepared Takahashi">Takahashi is also a threat if she’s 100%.
The strong running chaser was building an impressive win-loss record before she was struck down by injury in the middle of the year.
Takahashi made a credible return from her five month lay-off when she finished runner-up last weekend and she should be much improved for the hit-out.
Luba Monelli, You Can Dream and Ozzie">Ozzie Bullet look set to fight it out for supremacy in heat two (race 6).
Luba Monelli has the big race experience and the benefit of the rails alley while You Can Dream has struck good form with wins from his last two starts and Ozzie Bullet has also been racing well.
You Can Dream is prepared by veteran trainer Dennis Calleja, who took out the very first All Stars Sprint with Pied Issue.
Calleja has indicated that You Can Dream will be his last greyhound so it would be a nice quirk of history if he can claim the trophy as his swansong.
On Coin makes a return from injury in heat three (race 7).
The fastest ever WA bred dog and one the finest racedogs on the local scene for the better part of two years On Coin will nevertheless be tested here first up after a couple months on the sidelines.
On Coin concedes the inside to his main challengers Coconut Grove and You For Real.
Coconut Grove impressed on his Cannington debut last week and can be expected to thrive under the capable guidance of Paul Stuart.
You For Real is a good beginner and she has been very consistent coming up through the grades with nine wins and five minor placings from 15 career starts.
Whether or not she can click up another gear as she rises in class remains to be seen but she has every chance for a forward showing from the red in this one.
A slight niggle and a poor showing in her last start has cast some doubt over Te Amo’s prospects in heat four (race 8).
At her peak the ling pinging speedster would be a raging favourite from box two but her stocks have fallen after a disappointing effort to defend her Mandurah Cup crown during the heats a fortnight ago.
As good as she is Te Amo hasn’t won at Cannington since April and if she fails to fire out the traps she could be in trouble against the likes of Thunder Rama and her fellow Linda Britton-trained kennelmate My Mate Cobber.
For Cannington Saturday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
t Bet: Ash Flash (Race 11)
Best Value: You Can Dream (Race 6)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 1, 2, 4
Race 6 – 1, 2, 4
Race 7 – 1, 2, 4
Race 8 – 2, 6, 7
$20 for 24.69%
