Recent Group 2 winner Heidi Benz and consistent kennelmate Bradley Benz look capable of scoring a winning double for Geoff Uhrhane at Thursday’s Albion Park meeting.
Heidi Benz jumps from box five in the meeting’s opening race, the brisgreys.com Stakes (520m), aiming to continue her highly promising racing career.
The chaser’s outstanding victory in the recent $50,750-to-the-winner Vince Curry Memorial Maiden earned a first Group crown for her 23-year-old trainer, a former motor racing driver.
Bradley Benz has it tougher in the night’s sixth race but has enjoyed a solid year so far and looks a good each way hope here at least.
“He always has a chance,” trainer Uhrhane said.
“He is not a lid-pinger but he is strong at the back end of races. If he gets into a good position near the finish, he is usually reasonably strong.
“I think if he can get into second or third at the first corner then he will always be in with a chance.
“He has matured a lot and I certainly cannot complain with his year.”
Bradley Benz’s main rivals here look like Bago Kysam (box two) and Birkdale Beauty, who has been solid recently and has the red rug here.
Uhrhane’s hopeful faces a tough challenge but Heidi Benz looks head and shoulders above the competition in her race.
A daughter of Westmead Osprey x Berella Ciata, she is clearly the fastest here and already has one win from the squeeze box at Albion Park earlier this month.
Radley Return (race two) and Sticka Size in race nine also look strong chances.
Uhrhane enjoyed a successful career in motor racing, including winning races on the British Formula Ford Championship Circuit.
He started concentrating on greyhound training about two years ago and now looks after 18 greyhounds on his property in Churchable, south-east Queensland.
The 23-year-old said greyhound racing inspired the same excitement as getting behind the wheel of a race car.
“The adrenalin rush is certainly similar,” he said. “You get a lot of lot of excitement and adrenalin watching your dog race.
“Obviously the difference is when you put the dogs in the box, that’s your control gone.
“In some ways it’s maybe a relief – if that’s the right word - to get a Group title. It makes you think the hard work you've put in means something.
“I know already that it’s a tough game so moments like winning a Group final make it worthwhile.”
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
