Although this Friday night’s meeting at Sandown Park isn’t officially part of the Dream Chasers carnival, it certainly doesn’t feel out of place. The quality is immense.
The Shootout (Race 9) takes centre stage, featuring Saturday’s Topgun champion Wrongly Accused.
As expected, he’s opened the $1.40 favourite. If ever there was a format of racing to suit him, it’s this. Like A Rock, Sparring and Mepunga Turbo complete the four-dog field.
We’ll also see the running of the Laurels final, one of the country’s premier races for young female greyhounds. Compton Rocks and Surge look set for a high-speed battle.
There are also nine, yes nine, Sportsbet Melbourne Cup Preludes to soak up. Indy Melmen, Vista Weird, Storm Hustler and the mighty Jungle Johnny are just some of the names in the mix.
And as if we needed anything else, there’s a staying race over 715m featuring Without A Trace. She was only fair (by her standards) in the Topgun Stayers. She must put away Friday’s field if she’s going to be any chance of defending her Bold Trease title in the coming weeks.
It’s a massive night, with an even bigger one to come as we edge closer to Sportsbet Melbourne Cup heats night next Saturday, live on Racing.com.
You can catch this Friday night’s action on Sky Racing 1, where I’ll be on track bringing you the energy of Shootout night at Sandown Park.
Make sure you’re tuning in to Grey Areas this Friday at midday for a close look at the meeting – live on the Watchdog App
