Short course stars Mique and Astrophysic, together with former top-class Victorian Fantastic Hulk, are among the standout chances in Friday night’s Group 3 Mandurah Mail Birthday Cup (405m) Heats.
In-form Hello I’m Leo and classy Mulwee Grand also look ones to watch in the Heats of the $25,000-to-the-winner series, one of the biggest events of the year in WA.
Astrophysic jumps from box two in the first Heat aiming to further improve his incredible record of 52 victories and 18 minor placings from 81 starts.
One of the stars of the gun Paul Stuart kennel, he is resuming after almost four months out but has a formidable record over this distance and has won seven of 12 starts from box two.
Hello I’m Leo (box seven) was a strong 22.79 winner in a quality Free-For-All over this distance last week at Mandurah and looks the best bet in the second Heat.
The Ben Maclean-trained greyhound has won six of his last 10 starts and is decent from out wide, so looks capable of saluting in this.
Mulwee Grand (box three) has been a consistent performer trainer Enzo Crudeli and looks the one to back in the third Heat.
The son of El Grand Senor and I’m All Show scored a hat-trick of triumphs over this distance at Mandurah in the Spring and has won four of his eight starts from box three.
Fantastic Hulk (box five), formerly in the gun Victorian Brett Bravo kennel and now in the astute hands of John Iwanyk, looks the clear top pick in Heat three.
The son of Black Magic Opal and Fantastic Barb has a consistent record of seven wins and 12 minor placings from 22 starts and won over this trip on December 23 in a decent 22.61.
He has the quality to overcome the tricky draw and looks ready to salute again in this.
Heat four is probably the toughest race of the night, with the Paul Stuart-trained Gold Reserve (box five) possibly the best bet.
The well-bred son of Brett Lee and Starlight Delly had won eight of 16 starts prior to his last start on November 19 and has two wins from three starts over this trip.
He won his only previous start from box five and will be fresh and primed for this.
Mique (box five) has mixed form recently but looks capable of scoring another win in the sixth Heat.
The Eric Campana-trained greyhound, a winner of 22 of his 43 starts, has saluted 10 times over this trip and saluted at Mandurah three starts back.
The six Heat winners and two fastest qualifiers progress to next Friday night’s final.
For Mandurah Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
