Mister Harlewood has firmed into $2.50 for Thursday night’s Victoria National Distance Championship after drawing box 1 for the final.
The pre-post favourite for May’s RSN Sandown Cup, Mister Harlewood opened at $2.70 with tab.com.au but was quickly wound in, as was Sunset Bourbski who defeated five of Thursday night’s field when victorious last Thursday night. Despite drawing box 5, Sunset Bourbski’s odds have been slashed from $8 into $6.50
True Detective, who in any other year would be the Greyhound Clubs Australia wildcard runner as the top ranked stayer in the country, eased from $3.20 to $3.40 but remains second favourite for the race, while Tornado Tears has also eased ($5 to $6). ‘Batman’ is contesting his third National Distance series, winning the 2018 edition and running second in 2019. Despite not having won in over six months, he has shown flashes of form including a fast finishing second last Thursday night.
His younger brother and track record holder Here’s Tears is the only other runner in single figures at $8.50.
With travel restrictions preventing a National final, Thursday night will be the grand final for some of the most accomplished sprinters in the land with a $12,000 cheque awaiting the winner.
Two heats of the Victoria National Sprint series will also be run with Simon Told Helen ($1.60) and Shima Shine ($2) meeting in one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes of the year. Simon Told Helen – a four time group 1 winner – has swept all before him in 2020 but will have to be at his best against Shima Shine, who set the second fastest time ever recorded at Sandown Park a fortnight ago.
Group 1 Sapphire Crown winner Black Opium ($1.80) headlines the second heat, with recent group 2 McKenna Memorial winner Christo Bale ($3.30) given the best chance of defeating the Jason Thompson trained speedster.
The first four placegetters in each heat will progress to the final on Thursday 13 August.
Other notable greyhounds racing on Thursday night include Houdini Boy fresh off his stunning 595m debut last Thursday night, and country cup winners Tiggerlong Tonk and Hard Style Rico who will start favourites in the respective graded raced races.
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*There’s a $100,000 projected TAB quaddie pool on Thursday night’s meeting
