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Racing and Sports Greyhound expert Rodney Newell provides his selections for a big 12-race card at Cannington on April 18, with The Sandgroper the feature event.
A 12-race card lies ahead for Cannington on Thursday evening, with the second running of The Sandgroper for greyhounds which is the first leg of The Western Trilogy.
The Sandgroper appears in Race 5, and we have previewed the whole meeting in search of finding a few winners.
Race 1 - Free Entry TABtouch Park (Novice Grade 5, 275m)
A difficult race to start proceedings with only two greyhounds in the field having won a race from a combined 32 starts of all runners. The standout appears to be ex-Victorian HELLO BAILEY who trialled at Mandurah in 17.50 over 300m before winning a race over that distance in 17.24. He then ran 5th in a harder grade race over 400m at the same track.
Hello Bailey is a good beginner, and the inside box should be a big advantage. The danger should come from Run A tick who won at Cannington two back in 16.16 over the 275m trip. Of the others, Love Me Better gets a kind draw after a horror run of bad boxes.
Selections: 1-4-2
Race 2 - Western Trilogy 2024 (Maiden, 520m)
A maiden race with many runners in the field having placed throughout their careers without winning. The draw is crucial to several runner's chances, considering the five box is vacant with no runner.
We haven't seen much of CHEF'S KISS, but she creates plenty of interest after running a 30.28 personal best here last start. Likes to lead but was run down last start when drawing the outside box. Draws the coveted one box now and should improve.
Connie Keeping has been placed numerous times here but still hasn't cracked her maiden after 17 starts, although placed on 9 occasions. Canya Bon Bon could be one at a big price after a 30.35 run here on April 10 from an outside box and is looking for longer.
Selections: 1-2-7
Race 3 - KCR Pet Transport (Maiden, 520m)
Another maiden race and it being even more difficult with two debutants appearing from leading trainers Krystal Shinners and Paul Stuart.
MISS ENVY won her trial defeating Vinales in the process whom she meets here. The time of 30.15 was fair after being moderately away. With general improvement it should be too good for these.
Vinales bombed the start in the same trial; however, he worked home well despite the margin being 4 lengths. He's a son of Bernardo and we all know how well he's going as a sire. Definite danger.
Of the others New Hope does have a personal best here of 30.26 from two runs ago but does have to overcome box 5 which won't help his cause.
Selections: 3-7-5
Race 4 - Crumble Monelli (Grade 5, 520m)
This race is named in honour of last year's The Sandgroper winner Crumble Monelli. A nicely put together fifth grade race here with several runners in very good form.
BAGNAIA for Paul Stuart won two on end here in novice grade, running some very good times including a personal best 29.77. Faced fifth grade opposition for the first-time last start and was unlucky when running fourth at $1.80. Has a bit on some of his opposition time wise.
Vander Harley is a bitch with plenty of potential, however at times can be disappointing. No doubting her ability to run times as per her personal best here of 29.87. Box will probably be her biggest opposition, but she is consistently in and around the money.
Victory Road is a noted wide runner, and this is a good draw. Could really be the knockout in this field with 6 wins from 21 starts and a 29.81 personal best. Don't underestimate.
Selections: 2-6-8
Race 5 - TABtouch The Sandgroper Final (Open, 520m)
What a race it is. The showpiece of the night brings together 8 of Australia's most talented and progressive chasers.
BIG ENERGY trained by the Greenough camp looks the one to beat. The one-time son of Western Australia returns home after burning the track with a 29.4 trial in preparation. The box draw in one gives him every chance to win.
Hector Fawley is one of Australia's most versatile and hardest chasers. And has matched it with the best Victoria has to offer over recent months. Unlike many over his counterparts he does not have to lead to win and down the back straight he could be flying home over the top of them.
Explicit is trying to maintain the picket fence and his recent form in Victorian Country Cups has been enormous. If anyone can overcome a bad box it's this guy. Trained by leading Victorian trainer Jason Thompson.
Selections: 1-6-8
Race 6 - The DogsWA The Sunchaser Final (Open, 520m)
Probably the hardest race on the card with many runners in peak form and condition. Would be no surprise if any of the eight runners won.
WEST ON BONNIE, a last start winner here over the 600 metres and was the Group One Galaxy winner as well. Has won four in a row and without doubt is the strongest runner in the field. The box draw is perfect and should be stalking them down the back straight and prove too strong.
Go Seek Kotoni has had three horror draws at Cannington since winning here in 29.81. The move to box one is a massive advantage and should allow him to be well placed into the first turn.
Uncle Tommy for Steve Withers won the Perth Cup three runs back however his last two runs have been below par with a second and third in 30.04 and 30.07. He might be a bit stale since the Perth Cup run, but he can't be underestimated on his Perth Cup victory.
Selections: 2-1-4
Race 7 - The Nullabor Friday @ GP (Novice Grade 5, 520m)
Vacant boxes in three and six here for this six-dog field and the vacant boxes will advantage some runners.
Hard to tip against ARBOLINO for Paul Stuart after finding his mojo in a very good 29.83 victory here at Cannington on the 10th of April. The son of Bernardo has won two and placed two from 6 starts and there was a lot to like about his last run showing signs of maturity.
Passing Clouds is generally not the best to begin but he possesses some ability. Won in 30.16 two back when drawing box six before very slow away and second in 30.16 off box one.
Fidel Pronto has improved with each run and the son of Fernando Bale draws nicely here. Won off box two last start and although he would need to improve a few lengths on the clock, he is nicely drawn.
Selections: 5-8-1
Race 8 - Zack Monelli At Stud (Grade 5, 380m)
Very good field here though its going to be very hard to tip against WISE ABALONE, who is looking to make it a hat-trick of wins after two good wins here at Cannington. Although boxed in seven, the Tommy Shelby bitch should show a clean pair of heels against this field. Does have a 22.00 second personal best at the track and distance.
Impress Kerr is usually moderate to begin but the inside draw in box three does suit. Should go straight to the fence and just needs a touch of luck. Has a personal best 22.28 here and that should put her in the mix.
Fantasy Lee last few runs have been moderate but has drawn bad boxes and been up in grade contesting mixed fourth and fifth grades. Although drawn the outside could get a cart across from Wise Abalone and does have a 22.26 win here four back from box six.
Selections: 7-3-8
Race 9 - The Quokka Saturday @ Ascot (Mixed 4/5, 520m)
Vacant boxes appear here with no runners in either box three or box six. Just the six runners to contest this race.
A hard race to line up with a few runners here struggling to find what would be described as their best form. While others in good form rising in grade.
One of those runners rising in grade is Eugenius who after winning two of his last 3 runs looks hard to beat coming off a very impressive 29.78 win here on the April 13. The son of Shima Shine should be in this for a long way.
Sunset Hornet for David Hobby takes the step up to racing over 500m for the first time after navigating her way through the grades and rising in distance. Her 18 career starts for 10 wins and 6 placings confirms her ability. Definite danger.
Of the others Bunji Man has had 43 of his 44 career starts here at Cannington and has won 13 with a further 18 minor placings. Although out of form slightly, he cannot be underestimated with a vacant box to his outside.
Selections: 4-7-5
Race 10 - Tommy Shelby At Stud (Grade 5, 380m)
Impossible to tip against a greyhound running a blistering 21.65 best of night here on April 10, and with that in mind, FIZZY CHRISSY is the on top selection.
The daughter of Feral Franky has career stats of 15 starts for 5 wins and 4 minor placings. Her 7-length win was nothing short of a galloping lesson and stick with her until she loses form.
Midnight Kuna will be the danger nicely boxed in the three and running a respectable 21.82 here on the 13th of April. Her current record of her last five runs at this track and distance read one win and four minor placings.
Rock Solid Kid is a greyhound with ability, yet his box manners let him down. Will probably be one of the last to leave the boxes, but his finish is impressive and if he finds the fence early look out.
Selections: 8-3-2
Race 11 - Greyhoundsaspets.com.au (Grade 6, 380m)
A difficult race to assess due to a lack of winning form from any of the eight runners. In the last 32 runs of all runners only Go Gettem Buzz has won a race.
SIVO KEEPING has good early box speed and drops back from running 400 at Mandurah to the tighter 380 Metre circuit here at Cannington. Should be in this for a long way.
Max Blazer has had two good seconds from his last three runs here however it should be noted that from 14 starts here track and distance he has never won.
El Salvador finds it hard to win here however ran a very good second behind Fizzy Lizzy last start and that should hold her in good stead. Box though is the concern.
Selections: 4-1-8
Race 12 - investinthechase.com.au (Novice Grade 5, 380m)
A novice sprint to finish the evening at Cannington and we should be finishing the night on a winning note.
WEST ON HALO has been in peak form with a win and two seconds in her last three starts and her maiden win was very good when pinging the lids. She should be able to go on with it here.
Slowly Drifting has only won 2 races from 33 career starts which is just a 6%-win percentage. However, he has run 14 minor placings with 11 of those seconds. It's a winnable race in a very lowly graded event and the box helps.
In her mood is still early in her career with just 19 starts however she has won two races and placed on three other occasions. She improved on the clock last start and with any even luck can feature.
Selections: 7-2-3
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