Fields are out for this Thursday’s Sandown Park meeting which features the second series of Sportsbet Melbourne Cup Preludes.

Greyhounds must compete in a Prelude to be eligible for Sportsbet Melbourne Cup heats, or have won an exemption race. Click here for full conditions.

It’s normally Shootout night, the last set of Preludes, where we see a flurry of nominations, but these first two series have surprised me.

There’s plenty of reasons to take interest. Good dogs, international imports and a fair bit on the line.

While the sport’s finest sprinters are getting ready for a hopeful Topgun berth, the next crop are largely within this card at Sandown. While some others will head to The Meadows next Monday night for the Silver Bullet or Hume Cup heats.

Some of the highlights this Thursday night.

Irish imports
We see three greyhounds in Preludes who have recently relocated from Ireland. Ballymac Chantry, Ballymac Iroko and Ballymac Duffle. They’ve all had decent success in Ireland and all had a sighter at Ballarat last Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, brought over by George Dailly.

Kiwi gun against beast-like veteran
Ex-kiwi Shows Promise was super impressive in the opening race last week. She’s straight into the fire in a Prelude and meets a far deeper field… headlined by the almighty Mepunga Reward, first up since his obscene win in the Masters Meteor on Million Dollar Chase night at Wentworth Park.

Redemption looks likely
Sparring had everything in his favour last Thursday but was crossed by Paw Oswald and not given another chance. He lands box 1 again and this looks to be a much easier assignment. Should be very short in the market and should be winning.

Last start feature race winner
All I See was the winner of last Thursday’s Ipswich Futurity run at The Q. She’s won 10 of 21 for Melbourne Cup winning trainer Dave Geall. She lines up in Prelude 8.

The cherry on top
The first race following the Preludes is a beauty. One of the stronger fields of the night and it’s just a graded race… That’s Race 10.

Join me before and after every race at Sandown this Thursday night on Sky Racing 1

Shows Promise (1) faultless on her Australian city class debut last week