It’s an intriguing night at Sandown Park this evening with many young guns stepping out ahead of Launching Pad heats next week – the country’s best series for young and emerging greyhounds.

Aside from that, we also see star sprinter Slick Splits race for the first time since he was runner-up in the recent Sportsbet Australian Cup – he headlines and should win Race 8.

THE BEST
Sandown Park, Race 5, Mepunga Express (2)
He’s a greyhound that generally prefers a wide draw, however with a vacant box on his immediate outside it should give him a chance to step from the boxes fast while naturally leaning to the outside part of the track. His early speed is enough to be up front and combined with adequate strength he’s an extremely good winning chance tonight.

BEST VALUE
Sandown Park, Race 2, Mister Rico (6)
Despite just four starts into his career he looks like a greyhound who relishes a wide draw. He’ll hang wide with speed and go forward early. He’s relying on the likes of Tarwillie (3) to make some sort of mistake, but given the odds and his suitability to the draw looks an attractive option.

WORTH THE RISK
Sandown Park, Race 4, Fleeing (2)
He’s very short odds, for a greyhound with three starts against some seasoned opposition. While he clearly has ability, at this stage he looks to be only a fair beginner and with some speedy greyhounds drawn around him he’s well under the odds.

Eventual series winner Dashing Slay (8) was very good in a heat of last year’s Launching Pad