An exciting night of chasing beckons at Albion Park this Thursday with some of Queensland’s future stars contesting the Brisbane Young Guns Final.
The final of the Winged Runner will also feature on the 11-race program.
I’m going back to the well once again for my best bet with a dog regular readers of this preview will know very well.
I’ve dissected the form like a skillful surgeon and you can find all my top picks for the Albion Park dishies below.
Infra Terra (1) handled his first race in Masters grade last start when winning at Capalaba.
The son of Aussie Infrared pulled away late to win over 366m in 20.40 seconds.
While he’s failed in six attempts over this longer course and distance, he has recorded a personal best of 30.32 seconds when finishing runner-up last June.
He should lead from box 1 and it will just be a matter of him being able to hold which he should have a good chance of doing against this field.
1 Unit – Infra Terra (1)
Blue Blend (4) didn’t have the best of luck over this course and distance last start when blocked for runs several times including when he was looking to take the lead in the back straight, but to his credit he fought back to finish third.
The Jeff Crawford-trained dog produced a career best two starts ago over this course and distance when powering through the second half of the race after a slow start to win in a scorching 29.60 seconds.
The vacant box to his immediate outside is a bonus and should enable him to motor early and take up a forward position.
If he’s in striking distance on the home turn, then he should take some stopping.
1 Unit – Blue Blend (4)
Paris Will Wait (4) has been racing in great form over the shorter sprint and is looking for her fourth win in a row.
The Kevin Bryant-trained bitch appreciated a drop in class when winning her heat of a Fifth Grade series three starts ago in 18.89 seconds before backing that up in the final two starts ago when leading all the way over this course and distance in a best of the night 18.97 seconds.
She produced a best of the night 18.71 seconds when winning last start and given the strength she showed late, she should handle the rise in distance.
I expect her to lead and prove hard to run down.
1 Unit – Paris Will Wait (4)
Akela Iaido (8) didn’t have a great deal of luck when starting from this box last start but can bounce back.
Two starts ago the son of Ballymac Kingdom fought gamely but was no match for Cheers For Bella over this course and distance last start when finishing second on 42.11 seconds.
He was excellent the start prior when proving too strong in a three-length win in 42.03 seconds.
While he has never won in seven starts from box 8, he has finished in the placings four times and he does look to have a strength edge over this field.
1 Unit – Akela Iaido (8)
Brunswick Flyer (7) was slow away last start over 520m here and then was taken out of action entering the first turn so can be forgiven for finishing sixth.
Two starts ago, the son of Zambora Brockie was slow away but rocketed home to win over 520m in 29.97 seconds.
This is his fifth run back from a long break so he should be at peak fitness now and given the way he has been finishing off his races, the rise in distance suits.
He boasts a good record over this course and distance with the quickest personal best in the field of 34.73 seconds.
1 Unit – Brunswick Flyer (7)
Uno Nangar (3) has been in racing in consistent form lately at Albion Park with four wins and three placings from her past eight starts.
The John Corrigan-trained bitch couldn’t cross from box 7 in a heat of the Brisbane Young Guns last start but ran well to finish third in 30.22 seconds.
She recorded a personal best time of 29.72 seconds just four starts ago and a repeat of that performance would see her hard to beat in the Winged Runner Final.
She finally will start from a low draw and is undefeated in three starts from box 3.
1 Unit – Uno Nangar (3)
Ace’s Chance (7) has been very good to followers of the Ladbrokes Albion Park Greyhounds previews and I don’t see a reason to jump off.
The Jeff Crawford-trained dog bounced back to winning form two stars ago when dropping back to 600m here and leading all the way for a slick 34.75 second win.
He returned to this course and distance last start and once again proved too strong when winning by 1.75 lengths in 42.30 seconds.
He has the speed to lead and go all the way.
1 Unit – Ace’s Chance (7)
Star Turn (2) blitzed his rivals in the Rockhampton Cup Consolation Final by five lengths in 29.56 seconds two starts back.
The Jeff Crawford-trained dog enjoyed the trip away as he returned to Brisbane last start and continued his winning ways, recovering from a slow start to win his Brisbane Young Guns heat in 30.30 seconds.
He has been flying over this course and distance recently and did win three in a row prior to going to Rocky which included a scintillating 4.25 length win over Uno Nangar in 29.78 seconds.
He’s generally a quick beginner so he should get on the arm from box 2.
1 Unit – Star Turn (2)
Backcreek Benny (8) tasted defeat for the first time in 10 starts last week over this course and distance.
The son of Sennachie was far from disgraced in finishing third and can bounce back.
His form prior to last start was excellent with a dominant win the G2 Rockhampton Cup just two starts ago.
Before that, he secured back-to-back wins over this course and distance, including an impressive 29.78-second run.
Although he can be a bit slow out of the box, he can build momentum down the outside from box 8 and should be too strong late.
I’m feeling bullish about him saluting as my Albion Park best bet.
2 Units – Backcreek Benny (8)
Whiskey Service (1) takes on the course and distance for the first time but finds himself in a winnable race.
The Casey Dargusch-trained dog hasn’t had the best of luck in his past two starts at Q1 Lakeside but has still worked home well to finish third.
Five starts back he proved too strong over 520m at Ipswich where he led all the way in 30.36 seconds.
He has the speed to take advantage of drawing box 1.
1 Unit – Whiskey Service (1)
Villante (3) will appreciate returning to Masters class after trying hard and placing twice in five races in stronger company.
The Chris Brydon-trained dog competed in a Masters race over this course and distance six starts ago where he charged around them on the first turn before proving too strong in 30.15 seconds.
He’s well drawn and should be hard to hold out.
1 Unit – Villante (3)