GRV’s Peter Quilty, Gerard Guthrie and Andrew Copley provide their thoughts on some of the star greyhounds racing in Victoria.

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Peter Gents, Victoria’s top staying dogs are out in force for the Group 3 Top Cat Video Cup at The Meadows on Saturday night. Who’ll be the ‘leader of the gang’?

Gerard Quilts, I think Zoha Bale is the ‘next big thing’ in the staying ranks. His distance debut – at Sandown Park in early August – was phenomenal. And he franked that performance with victory in the Victorian National Distance final and Group 3 Speed Star prior to having no luck in the National Distance Championship grand final.

Andrew Moraine Suzie has to be a massive chance. She wasn’t crowned Stayer of the Year for nothing! She’s four from nine over 730 metres at The Meadows – including victory in last year’s Group 1 Topgun Stayers.

Peter Yes, it wouldn’t surprise me if ‘Suzie’ gave them a ‘wake-up’ call. But I also think the Brittons can play a big hand. Robbie Britton rugs last year’s winner First Picked, which was trained by his son, Tim, at the time. This year, Tim is represented by Dirt Farmer and dual Group 1 finalist Wheel And Go.

Gerard Rob’s not only a champion trainer, he’s a doyen with distance dogs. He’s won this race on three occasions, with the immortal Fanta Bale in 2017 and Tornado Tears, who saluted in 2018 and 2020.

Andrew Fellas, let’s not forget Alfie Moon. He was runner-up in this race last year and only recently won the Group 3 Fireball at The Meadows.

Peter Okay guys, the Group racing focus switches to the ‘straight track’ with five heats of the Group 2 Healesville Cup on Sunday. Who tickles your fancy?

Gerard How can you go past the ‘King of Healesville’, Unleash Collinda, in Heat 2. He holds both Healesville track records and is 12 from 15 over 350 metres there – including last week’s National Straight Track Championship.

Andrew Agreed, Gerard. But I reckon Maybe Yesterday is the most underrated straight track specialist in Australia. He had Unleash Collinda’s measure in the Healesville Members Trophy when he was only one length outside the track record. And he pushed Unleash Collinda all the way during the Victorian STC and National STC. Maybe Yesterday has Heat 3 at his mercy.

Peter Spot on… Unleash Collinda and Maybe Yesterday do look the ‘No. 1 and No. 2 seeds’. But a couple of Tasmanians – Ah We’re Tight in Heat 1 and Hit The Switch in Heat 5 – could be the surprise packets. Shane Whitney doesn’t cross Bass Strait willy-nilly! And I like Nicolson Bale, who was a finalist in last year’s Healesville Cup, in Heat 4.Thanks gents… I can’t wait for all the action on the weekend.