Apache Flame is drawn to figure prominently in Saturday night’s RSN Racing & Sport Grade 5 Final (525m) at The Meadows after coming up with box two in the race for the $12,000 first prize.
With four wins and six 2nds from his past 10 starts, Apache Flame is racing with plenty of confidence at present, and Greyhound Racing Victoria’s form expert, The Watchdog has marked him as a $3.60 second favourite and selected him on top.
“Being drawn near the rail brings him right into this race,” said trainer Robert Crawford. “There is a lot of pace around him with the greyhounds in box one (Midnight Hero) and box three (Federal Lilly). I’m expecting one of those two greyhounds to lead, and I’m hoping that Apache Flame can get off to a good start and be sitting just off the pace in the early stages, and hopefully prove too strong.”
Apache Flame came from well back in the field to win his heat after crossing to the rail from box six and clocking 30.29sec, four lengths slower than the fastest heat winner (George’s Fever).
However, the black sprinter showed he is capable of running brilliant times with a victory at Sandown Park two starts ago in 29.38sec, which included a lightning first section of 5.02sec.
While Crawford is quietly confident of another competitive showing from his greyhound, he conceded that Saturday night’s field is extremely even.
“There are a number of chances, although Midnight Hero is probably the one to beat. Dyna Dean (box seven) isn’t ideally drawn but he could easily win as he is a Group 1 winner and is the best greyhound in the race,” he said.
Tomorrow’s final is Race 6 on the card, which is scheduled to run at 8.58pm.
