It’s week 2 of the Launching Pad series at Sandown Park tonight with the semi-finals (Races 7 and 8) taking centre stage. The top 4 from each semi-final will progress to next week’s final, where $150,000 will go to-the-winner.

We also see heats of the Runway series, made up of greyhounds who didn’t progress to Launching Pad semi-finals from thier heats. Other highlights are young gun Distinction in Race 5, as well as Gambella and Avengement going at it in Race 6.

See last week’s Race Data for a detailed breakdown of performances in Launching Pad heats.

BEST
Sandown Park, Race 2, Fractions (4)
He was undefeated after four starts but has found all sorts of froth and bubble in the three starts since. Tonight’s field size and speed map will give him every possible chance. Tripped Out (2) is the main danger, but on paper Fractions is faster than him. We should get a reminder that Fractions has serious potential.

NEXT BEST
Sandown Park, Race 3, On The Prowl (8)
I’m a fan but have been disappointed by some recent runs. It’s become evident that he appreciates using the width of the track. He should accelerate and lead this race. I’m nervous about Fleeing (4), but On The Prowl is highly likely to be leading and I feel he won’t be caught.

BEST VALUE
Sandown Park, Race 7, Highly Potent (5)
She was bumped immediately after the start last week and was still able to set fast splits. It’s a tough field but I feel she’s still building up to her best. She must lead and I reckon she can. You want early speed in these even races and she has it.

WORTH THE RISK/TAKE ON
Sandown Park, Race 7, Blue Storm (1)
He’s the fastest greyhound at Sandown Park tonight, but I reckon he’s vulnerable. He’s shown that he prefers to run around other greyhounds instead of under them and in this class he lacks early speed and will be crossed. Freakish ability, but in this case I think the elements are against him.

QUADDIE
Race 5: 2
Race 6: 3,7
Race 7: 1,2,5
Race 8: 1,2,4,5,7,8

Blue Storm (8) was magnificent in his Launching Pad heat