The Nationals are now upon us with Victoria hosting heats of its distance (Sandown tonight) and sprint (The Meadows this Saturday night) series this week.

Those clubs will host Victoria’s finals of the Nationals next week, to determine which greyhound will represent the Big V later this month.

Each state hosts a series of heats and finals over the sprint and long distance respectively, to determine which greyhounds will represent their respective states in the Group 1 National Sprint Championship and the Group 1 National Distance Championship to be held at Angle Park in Adelaide on Saturday night 27 August.

The state to host the Nationals rotates each year.

Sandown are hosting three heats tonight which will see the winners, second place-getters and the two fastest thirds make up the eight dog field, which will be run next Thursday night.

The first of three heats at Sandown kick off at 7.25pm with the Jason Thompson trained Burn One Down most likely starting odds on favourite from box seven.

Lady Toy will be looking to make it through to her second Group 1 National Distance Final this year in the second heat, which is set to jump at 7.46pm, after finishing second behind Sweet It Is in the 2015 Group 1 National Distance at Wentworth Park.

The Meadows have six heats on Saturday night, with the winners of each of the heats plus the two fastest second’s making through to the Victorian National Sprint Final the following Saturday.

 
Note: TAB is getting into the spirit of the Nationals by offering a $10,000 Quaddie Jackpot at Sandown Park tonight and at The Meadows on Saturday night.

SANDOWN FORM GUIDE

THE MEADOWS FORM GUIDE