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The return of Bulli track record holder Sandave Prince from more than a month layoff headlines a cracking meeting at the Illawarra track this evening.
Sandave Prince, who broke the 472m record with a 25.85 run in November, has not raced since December 3 when he finished second in a free for all event at Maitland.
He will line up from box one in race six tonight – the fifth grade Ladbrokes.com.au Sprint Series heat (472m) in which he will come up against promising up and comers Ritza Lenny and Super Senor.
Super Senor (box six) has won his last three, including a 22.34 win over the 400m at his last outing at Bulli on January 11.
Ritza Lenny has won three of his first four, including an eight length win at Bulli in 26.02 on January 11. He heads to Bulli this evening after only managing to earn a second reserve spot for tomorrow night’s National Derby heats and will jump from box eight.
Given Sandave Prince’s tough opposition this evening, his trainer David Richardson was quietly optimistic about his greyhound’s chances.
“Because of bad weather, I haven’t been able to give him a run recently,” he said.
“I also prefer him out wide as he doesn’t like to get jammed up. This is a very tough race – some of these greyhounds will go further.
“Having said that, I have managed to trial him at Keinbah and he was flying. He’s also looking and feeling absolutely brilliant.
“I think he will be competitive.”
Richardson looks to have a chance of scoring another victory with Sandave Sapphire jumping from box eight in race seven (590m).
Sandave Prince’s litter sister scored an impressive win over the 590m last start at Maitland and placed in one of her two previous starts wearing the pink rug.
“She has never seen Bulli but she travels well,” Richardson said. “I took her to Grafton for a trial and she went two lengths outside the track record.
“She has no problem with the distance as she is well-winded.
“I think she’s probably the best chance of the two.”
Meanwhile, Kihael Kaluna will compete in race five (400m) at Bulli tonight in which he aims to return to winning ways, where he will jump from box three.
The Vic Peters Classic finalist has been unsuccessful in his last three races but is unbeaten in two visits to Bulli and has won two of his three starts from box three.
Za Zing looks ideally drawn in box one to win race one.
The Jason Magri-trained Za Zing has shown ability in his two starts so far and should favour this draw.
Magri could score a double tonight, with Musheen (box five) looking a strong chance in race 10 on the back of a smart last start win at Bulli on January 8.
For Bulli Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
