The wait is over and the action is back – Q2 Parklands reopens with a bumper Thursday night meeting that promises excitement from the first jump to the final stride.
Ten races are up for decision highlighted by the appearance of dual The Q track record holder Blue Blend.
We’ve been seeing them well lately so hopefully that continues this Thursday night at Q2 Parklands.
She’s Saintly (6) takes on this course and distance for the first time but given the way she won on debut over 457m at Q1 Lakeside, it looks well in her capabilities.
The Tom Tzouvelis-trained bitch flew out of box 7 to lead easily before dashing clear to win by 3.5 lengths in 25.80 seconds.
She’ll be better for the experience and has the speed to cross.
Simulate (5) will appreciate a return to two turn racing after having no luck in his past two starts over 550m at Q1 Lakeside.
The Tom Tvouzelis-trained bitch was no match for Warm Cockles over this course and distance three starts back but ran well out of this box for second in 34.77 seconds.
She boasts a personal best of 34.34 seconds which she set in May.
The talented Group 3 winner can either lead or settle handy in the small field.
Pop’s Maestro (7) is yet to finish outside the top three in his six starts.
The Travis Elson-trained dog was last seen running on for second to classy Queensland newcomer Eriza Sparkles over 457m at Q1 Lakeside.
He’ll appreciate returning to this longer trip having led all the way over this course and distance three starts ago when stopping the clock in a slick 29.76 seconds.
If he can avoid trouble, then he should prove too strong late.
Blue Blend (5) stamped himself as the ‘King of The Q’ last start when breaking the 457m Q1 Lakeside track record in 25 seconds neat.
That goes nicely with the track record he holds for this course and distance of 29.16 seconds which he set when winning the Group 3 Origin Greyhound Series Match Race.
The Jeff Crawford-trained dog has won three of four starts over the 520m at Q2 Parklands with his only defeat coming in the Group 1 Flying Amy Classic Final.
The vacant box to his outside will aid him to build momentum.
Red Dirt Road (8) will appreciate returning to this longer trip after not having the greatest luck over shorter at Q1 Lakeside.
The Tim Britton-trained dog has a terrific record of four wins from five starts over the course and distance and boasts holding the track record of 41.03 seconds.
Just three starts ago, he stopped the clock in 41.24 seconds when winning here and defeating second favourite Stowaway.
He has won five of eight races when starting from this box.
Light Of Mine (8) has been freshened since producing a personal best in a heat of the Group 1 Queensland Cup last start.
The Tim Britton-trained bitch railed home strongly over this course and distance to finish second by a length in 41.58 seconds.
While she doesn’t win out of turn, her record over this course and distance compared to her rivals stands her in good stead.
She just needs to be in striking distance heading into the final bend, and she should take some stopping.
Electric Man (1) looks ready for a return to this distance following three starts over the shorter sprint trips.
The Out Of Range dog ran well for second in back-to-back runner up finishes up the Q Straight before fighting back late after leading to win over 457m at Q1 Lakeside last start.
While he is yet to place in two starts over this course and distance, he did win over 520m at Ipswich in quick time.
He should lead from box 1 and hopefully has enough of a lead to hold on.
Zephyr (3) can be a hit or miss proposition, but his best is good enough to win this race.
The son of Tommy Shelby was no match for Tim Zoo in a Brisbane Cup Prelude the last time he raced over his course and distance.
However, five starts ago he flew out of box 6 to open a massive lead when winning here by 10.25 lengths in a slick 29.58 seconds.
If he can begin like that, and that’s a big if, he can give this a shake.
Howdy Elise (5) takes on Masters company for the first time.
The Cyndie Elson-trained bitch will appreciate returning to this longer trip after two below par efforts over shorter.
Her record for this course and distance stands at two wins and two placings from five starts including a personal best of 29.92 seconds which she set when winning from this box five races ago.
She has the speed to settle handy or even lead.
This feels like a near impossible way to finish the night, but we need to find something to support and that’s Howdy Cyndie (1).
I’m not sure some of these will be too strong at the end of 520m after racing over shorter which won’t be the case for the Magic Sprite bitch who is a winner over 600m here from this box four starts ago.
She’s having her first start in Masters grade.