Albert's Thoughts
Grafton Greyhounds | Wednesday April 8
Grafton Greyhounds race tonight with a very strong 10 race card set down for decision. With top grade races over 305m, 407m and 480m this meeting would have to be like a major meeting over our July Carnival. Then we see the appearance of 3 of Casino trainer Fred Swains very promising litter by Barcia Bale as well. I have decided to make my best bet of the night in the shape of one of Swains in Race 7 The Ladbrokes Red Dog 1-4 Heats over 407m with the very promising Gloves Back On.
This promising litter started their career in the Big Maiden at Lismore back in December of last year with Gloves Back On finishing a very unlucky 4th in the Final to Skilled. He then won his maiden at Lismore in a near record time of 23.86. Gloves Back On then won a 5th Grade event at Lismore in 24.06 before an unplaced run at Albion Park behind his classy kennelmate in All Hands On. Tonight, from this perfect box 1 draw Gloves Back On gives you the impression he will relish the big long straights of Grafton and I think he will be winning.
Andrew Monaghan’s Bazza Brann drawn in box 7 looks the obvious danger tonight and if he can reproduce his 3 wins in a row back here at Grafton in November with his best time being a slick 23.18, he would certainly keep Gloves Back On honest tonight. Race 3 tonight The Village Green Hotel Stakes NG over 305m is the first of our top-grade races tonight. How can you go past the flying Sally Whelan trained Axle Whelan in tonight’s event. The winner of 3 of his last 4 starts including 2 over tonight’s trip in a flying 17.29 and 17.37 Axle Whelan is beautifully boxed in the 8 and he looks a standout bet.
Johnny Dart’s Kent Kilowatt vas a very good second at his first run on the track last Saturday in a quick 17.43 and tonight drawn inside Axle Whelan in box 7 Kent Kilowatt should run second for our quinella punters. Race 4 tonight is the second of our top-grade races with The Clarence Valley Sheds Stakes FFA over 407m. Here I have tipped that honest little rocket in Painted Picture to continue his consistent form. Painted Picture has won 3 of his last 5 starts with the other 2 starts being close seconds. Trainer Mark Wilcox from Casino certainly would love a kennel full of Painted Pictures in his yard.
Sam’s Way drawn in box 1 for Johnny Dart had his first look at the Grafton track last Wednesday when unplaced in a 480m race and if you go back to his win 2 runs ago at Albion Park when he won in a sizzling 22.55 Sam’s Way would have to be a big danger to Painted Picture tonight . Race 9 tonight is the third of our FFA races with the running of the GDSC Stakes over 480m. Here we see the very promising Jeff Ahern trained Burnt Ends certain to start favourite from this perfect box 2 draw.
Burnt Ends is one of the most promising dogs in the Northern Rivers on his day and from this perfect box 2 draw I expect him to chalk up win number 6 tonight from just 16 starts. Last Wednesday Burnt Ends chased the very consistent Telling Porkies all the way before running him down near the line in a good 27.57. The Robbie Andrews trained Telling Porkies confirmed the form by holding out the very classy Release Rodger when winning on Saturday in 27.73.
Tonight, looks a complete repeat of last Wednesday with Telling Porkies looking the early leader and Burnt Ends getting straight on his hammer. I am pretty sure we will get the same result with Burnt Ends sailing past Telling Porkies halfway down the straight. Geez wont that little redhead Robbie Andrews love reading this! Punters looking for a winner in the last race should look at Johnny Darts Lottie’s Beach drawn in box 4 in the Phil McLennan Earthmoving Stakes over 480m.
Having her first look at the Grafton circuit last week Lottie’s Beach was most impressive leading all the way from box 1 in the best time of the day of 27.41. Tonight, despite drawing box 4 she would only have to reproduce this time to win easily. The first of 10 races today begins at the twilight time of 3.32pm and the last is 6.27pm.
Cheers Albert Gleeson.