Head-to-head match racing will come to Healesville on Sunday in the inaugural running of The Arrow, with form expert The Watchdog rating straight track revelation Utah Ghost as a ‘frightening’ proposition for his rivals.
Utah Ghost, trained by Tim Britton, is unbeaten in three appearances at Healesville, the most recent being a last start victory in the Victorian Straight Track Championship on August 1.
Utah Ghost will clash with reigning G3 Healesville Cup champion Zambora Lou in the second – and arguably toughest – of Sunday afternoon’s four match-ups.
The Watchdog is predicting Utah Ghost will extend his perfect straight record at $1.30, while also tipping him to record the fastest overall time at $2.80.
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“I just think at the present time Utah Ghost is going too good – 18.93sec two runs back – and I think he can go a tad faster as well if the track is in good knick,” said The Watchdog.
“He really looks the goods and $1.30 in his match-up; I think that’s a really good bet. Throw him in all your multis, he gets the job done and he’s my tip for the overall as well.”
The Watchdog’s other suggested wager is Weblec Blazer, trained by Angela Langton, which will make his first race-day appearance at Healesville in the final match race, taking on Dream Wizard.
TAB is offering $7.50 about Weblec Blazer, which ran third to superstar Aston Rupee in the G3 Speed Star (525m) at The Meadows on Wednesday, in the ‘All In’ market and The Watchdog believes he could be The Arrow ‘X’ factor.
“I can’t wait to see what Weblec Blazer can do up the straight. He’s a high speed greyhound and we’ve seen his runs around The Meadows and Sandown, he runs the hands off the clock,” The Watchdog said.
“If he brings his circle track form to the straight track, wow, he could go around 18.80sec, maybe a tad quicker. He’s a phenomenal talent and I can’t wait to see what he can do.”
In the opening match race, The Watchdog has given the nod to Smart As Jack over Hadouken in an even affair, courtesy of drawing inside, while he’s tipping two-time country cups hero Ferdinand Boy to account for Mr. America in heat three.
The winner of each match race will receive $2,500 with the overall fastest greyhound receiving a further $20,000, second fastest $5,000 and third fastest $2,000.
