Tonight’s action at Sandown Park is headlined by three heats of the McKenna Memorial Races 4-6. Despite a moderate quantity of nominations the quality is strong. The winners and runners-up of each as well as the two fastest 3rds, will make up next week’s final. A night of good entertainment ahead of Friday’s Sportsbet Horsham Cup.

Hear my thoughts before every race at Sandown Park on Sky Racing 1.

BEST
Race 2, Phantom Quartz (1)
This greyhound is very young and progressing well. It’s his fourth start tonight and he gets every chance to win. The draw suits him well and a vacant box on his immediate outside helps him further. Little Monkey (4) will run a similar race but I think track position is likely to decide this one.

NEXT BEST
Race 3, Moonlight Miller (1)
He faces a very short priced favourite, but I’m confident he’s a strong winning hope. Box 1 means a lot to him and his mid-race power is superb – that period of the race is where he needs to do the damage. As for the favourite Fleeing (2) he’ll finish hard, however he’s a tad green and I think he’ll hand the lead to Moonlight Miller early.

VALUE
Race 7, Ian Albert (6)
This is a field with limited early pressure and it’s not beyond him to contend for the lead. His past few runs have been great and he goes well at Sandown Park. The favourite is good but there’s a chance our boy will lead her which will make things awkward. At around double figure odds he’s a good value play.

WORTH THE RISK/TAKE ON
Race 1, Bandit Swagger (8)
He’s $1.50 this guy, he’s got a motor but no early speed and this draw doesn’t do anything to help him. He’s better than them no doubt about it, but his style of racing is dangerous at these short odds and given that if we’re to lay him our risk is minimal.

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