Fields are out for one of the best night’s of racing for the year at Sandown Park this Thursday.
It’s led by finals of the G1 Sportsbet Harrison-Dawson, G1 Sportsbet Sapphire Crown and heats of the G1 Sportsbet Sandown Cup for the stayers.
The headline act of Sportsbet Sandown Cup heats is undoubtedly Valpolicella.
The staying gun from Queensland won at Albion Park last Thursday, her first appearance since she won the $500,000 to-the-winner ‘The 715’ at The Gardens the week prior.
She’s won 27 of her 49 outings and on the doorstep of being the 15th greyhound to surpass $1m in prize money. A feat that would be smashed out of the park if she was to win the $175,000 to-the-winner Sandown Cup.
Another notable contender is Tasmanian star Raider’s Guide who faces Valpolicella in Heat 2. Despite not having a race start at the track he has trialled to familiarise himself.
A stark omission is arguably the best stayer in Australia, Palawa King. Instead he will be lining up in the Brother Fox final at Dubbo this Saturday night.
“He was a tad flat after The 715 so I decided to drop him back, plus it’s a tough carnival coming up in Brisbane. They’re not robots and I felt this was going to be best for him,” said trainer Jack Smith.
Catch extended coverage throughout the night via the Watchdog App and Sky Racing Active. Box draw for the Sportsbet Sandown Cup will be conducted after Race 9 and will be live on the broadcast.
