Harry Buchanan’s Thursday Greyhound Best Bets

Posted on June 29, 2023 | Posted by Harry Buchanan

NORTHAM

Race 3 No. 5 Pyroclasm 

Looking for a clean step here off the middle draw. Yet to miss the frame from 3 goes here and should’ve won the Oaks in what was a no race. Her early speed will put her right up there, and if she finds the arm will prove very hard to run down.

Race 6 No. 1 Jack Can Browse and No. 8 Cash Monelli 

Whilst he’s yet to win off Box 1, he has been placed 3 from 4 from the inside and gets his chance here to breakthrough. A hot and cold type who can lead and run time. Keep an eye on the highly talented yet just as enigmatic dog in 8. Has gone 17.19 here, winning 2 from 3 tracking trip and can handle the wide draw. Start critical but can figure.

Race 8 No. 2 Floki’s Revenge

Unlucky last start to be pushed off at the first turn by a dog who lost the corner. He tried to rally again and made ground late to run 3rd. Is going much better than his form looks and gets a good map here. Can settle forward and will keep sustaining the run home. Great EW chance.

Race 9 No. 9 Sammy Can Browse 

She is not out of this, especially if she can secure a run from an inside box. Has a very fast 29.35 victory here and a repeat of that would put her in the finish. Has early burn and enjoys racing at this track. Can figure if she gets the start and can hit the frame.

Race 11 No. 3 Romantic Flame and No. 9 Little Righteous 

The 3 returned in fine style last start here. Better known over longer, she will be fitter this time and just needs to stay close to be a player in the run home. This could get very messy which will play to her strengths. If she secures the 1st to run, she will be a threat with her big last section. Place heavy go here. Keep an eye on the reserve who could surprise in this if she gains a start.  

Race 12 No. 1 Sapphire Ripple

Unbeaten off the cherry and this really does look hers to lose. Has a 17.26 victory here and while she should simply lead all the way, we wouldn’t want to take anything silly price wise, but at even money she would be a bet. Looks the one.

SANDOWN PARK

Race 5 No. 2 Yachi Bale

The current Melbourne Cup champ who has been in patchy form until a big last start effort behind the kennel mate here at Sandown. Came from a long way back with his customary middle and last section to rocket into 2nd. Box is okay here and can bounce back here with a clear run and a good first turn. He is a top two player.

Race 6 No. 6 Darkened Spirits 

Enigmatic and strange galloping type, who was very good last start, albeit not impressive in her action. However, that may just be her judging by her record. Can lead or come from behind and runs solid all-round sectionals. Ideal top 2 play if the price allows.

Race 7 No. 8 Raven Owl and No. 7 Sunnyside Zeus

First heat of the McKenna. Looking at a couple at odds. The 7 is a good beginning, front running middle-distance type who could get across here he will take some catching if he finds the arm solo. He will also give the 8 a cart across. She goes well here at Sandown and has been in good form against decent dogs lately. Can also deliver a last section so don’t dismiss. Both good place heavy shots.

Race 8 No. 5 Lederhosen Boy and No. 1 Jigglypuff

Heat two of the McKenna and again looking at a few at value. The 5 is a huge quote for a dog who has a lot of ability. Box is a little sticky, but he can figure with a clear run and does have a big middle section. Don’t completely ignore him. The 1 can’t run the necessary time, but she does have the draw where she could land close, and she does one grind all day so more of a place heavy style play for her, especially after a confidence boosting win last week. Both dogs need a lot to go right around them, but can surprise at the prices

Race 9 No. 3 Shima Stella 

Made a horrible decision turning for home last week, which cost her the race. Had it at her mercy and threw it away with an indecisive action when running up to the leader. Can run serious time when she gets clear running and could obtain that here and these won’t stop her if she brings her best.

ALBION PARK

Race 1 No. 3 Sunburst and No. 5 Palawa King

Heat 1 of the Queensland cup. The 3 has one of the flattest spots in greyhound racing. Begins quickly, drops off, only to come again late strongly to the line. If she can hold her position with a lap to go, she will be a force in the run home and can hit the frame. The 5 will be very hard to beat here after his 41.73 victory 2 starts ago. Gets back a bit but runs on strongly and a clear run will see him in the finish.

Race 2 No. 3 Tammy, No. 4 Days Of Thunder and No. 8 Spot On Harper

Again, looking for the run on component here, and at odds. The 3 is underrated, but promising, had no luck last week after stepping quickly, and can go better with the look at the track. Don’t ignore her completely. In contrast, the 4 is the track specialist and her barnstorming victory in the Super Stayers last week was a huge confidence booster. Runs home very very strongly and will be charging through the last section as usual. She is at 12 time winner at the track. Keep an eye on the 8 who can also stay all day. Kept finding the line last week to get up in the last bound, and while this is harder, she will keep coming the whole trip so a place heavy spec for her. Some doubts over the 1 getting the trip and the fitness levels of the 5, so prefer to leave both.

Race 3 No. 6 Hara’s River and No. 2 Targod Shirley 

Heat 3 of the Queensland cup. The 6 was an astonishing performance at her first test over the long trip last week. Worked overtime to finally strike the lead up the back only to be nabbed by the strongest dog in the race right on the line in fair time. If there is no second up syndrome, she is a monstrous hope. Winning 16 out of 39, she can come from anywhere in the run and boxes don’t matter. The 2 will be huge odds, but she is another who can actually stay the trip and while she is more of a one paced type, she will pass anything that is getting tired, and I’m tipping there will be one or two of those in this heat. Chances to 1 who is well boxed, and can get the distance easily as well as the 7 who is a genuine group class 700m dog. The rest need luck to compensate and get them in frame hitting spots. 

Race 4 No. 7 Hidden Agenda 

Speaking of enigmatic here he is. Can look like a star one week or a chump the next. All depends what mood he’s in. He has a trick bag Dumbledore would be proud of and his biggest issue is getting past a leader. His last few have been steady but don’t let that fool you. He is just as likely to come out and destroy these……or run last. At the price he’s worth a small spec and risk. 

Race 5 No. 7 Wendy Rocks 

Ran out of her skin last week when recording a 41.63 victory over this trip. Led most of the way and has become progressively stronger after a few runs over the distance now. Will again go fast to try and lead and only has to replicate that effort to be in the finish again. Great show here. 

Race 6 No. 1 Kai Bale 

First heat of the Brisbane Cup. He was very good at his Initial look last week when getting no peace early but running on well late. Will find a stack this time and has a big middle section that he sustains home and only has to hold a spot ahead of the fav to be awfully hard to beat. EW price to play place heavy all day. 

Race 7 No. 6 Big Town Hero and No. 7 Mepunga Warrior 

A mad charge for the lead here and looking for the 6 to drop his 5.50 out wide. Beaten a fair way behind Amron Boy last week but this is one of the easier heats and could sneak away at big odds here. Don’t dismiss him. The 7 is a grand campaigner who can come from anywhere and has some strength about him. If he lands across cleanly in a forward spot, he will hit the line well here in a field of dogs who prefer the arm. 

Race 8 No. 7 Bat Sign and No. 1 Crumble Monelli

The 7 is the best value of the night after his effort last week. Huge talent this bloke and has a super turn of foot off the mat and an even better middle and last section. Will rush up out wide and if this fav finds trouble, which he could, this bloke could steal this. The 1 will accelerate along the fence early here and look for the arm. That’s where he does his best work and will be his only chance. Boxed to get every hope to find it though. Keen on the 7 however at the price and EW go big time. 

Race 9 No. 8 Postman Pat and No. 6 Pudding Monelli 

The 8 just wins. Unless he misses the start or doesn’t somehow get over early, then these are mining for silver. Freakish performance last week and a repeat puts these to a very sharp sword. The 6 could hit the frame for minor money here and is worth a place heavy play. Ran past some good dogs last week to place and is ready to put a forward show in off the tricky box. 

Race 10 No. 7 Hara’s Herbie and No. 2 Elite Machine 

Another strong heat here. The 7 can run time, especially when he steps quickly which he can do most days. His 5.43 will be enough to strike early here and coming off a luckless run last week where the box got him. Map is ok here. The 2 was excellent using the red to drive up and lead virtually throughout last week. Held off some strong challengers who can run time and he will find a bit more again. Slight concern with what’s boxed either side of him as the 1 musters fast and gets off while the 3 is a sharp fence crashing beginner. If he can offset that he will be the one to beat again. 

Race 11 No. 2 Shipwreck and No. 3 Bears Bullet

This is messy. With the scr of the 5 and the reserve looking like it’s starting in Race 8, this now opens it up for the 7 to carve over sharply. His problem will be 3 and 4 who are both early-splitters who begin. It could also give the 8 a lovely cart into it but he too would need to get his 5.55 down a little more to cross cleanly. 7 and 8 both legitimate chances if they get over cleanly. However the 3 will hold them up if she comes out her best and therefore will be very hard to catch this time. Was home until a freakish Kelsey Bale descended last time but she’s not in this. That means the 2 could get a pipe smoking run along the fence and he is one of the slower early types who has some ticker and keeps coming. So if the gaps appear from any trouble, he could slide through and strike. 3, 4, 7 and 8 will all want that arm. How they sort out who gets it decides the result. 

Race 12 No. 4 Kelsey Bale and No. 6 Nando Dreamer 

Postman Pat may be the fastest dog in the series, and while he does everything right at this stage, this girls the best in terms of complete all round brilliance. A gifted freak show who does stupid things on a race track and I say that kindly. She is what gets people up and about in this sport. That win last week…..cut it out!!! Absurdity at its highest. It doesn’t seem to matter who is running what time up front, she just mows them down. She’s done it several times already and will keep doing it. Can win this heat, can win the Brisbane cup final. As long as she lands close enough she’s the one to stop. It is dog racing though so she will still have to earn it. The 6 could surprise if things go awry for the 4. She was good last week leading throughout in slippery time and knows how to win. Place heavy save on her could be a go. The 4 is the one to beat here and they will have to knock her down to win. 

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