Runner by Runner: The Sandgroper

Posted on April 13, 2023April 13, 2023 | Posted by Harry Buchanan

Box 1 – Momentum

Trainer: Cosi Dagostino

Wonderful campaigner who only made his way into the field early this week with the withdrawal of Throttle. May not be at his all time top but he now has box 1 and that alone gives this grand warrior a chance. Has a sublime record off the inside, still capable of delivering his 5.50 early and is all chase and class. Will get his chance to muster up and put himself into a striking spot and while he has proven he can mow dogs down from midfield, there are a few in this he simply can’t give a start to. His best hopes lay with holding a forward spot and some first turn trouble and one things for certain if that’s how it does pan out, and that is it will take an almighty performance to run him down. Unplaced just twice from 11 off this draw, he is there to give Team Guess a more than worthy replacement and sight and the trainer knows his dog backwards and will have him ready for this. Don’t dismiss this dog, it can be costly. 

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Box 2 – Victa Damian

Trainer: Lisa Rassmussen

South Australian gun sprinter who comes into this off an unplaced Easter Egg semi final when missing the start and having no first turn luck. Has drawn awkwardly here for a dog with his traits and Cannington is simply not a track you can do the things this dog does and get away with it. However, he has seen the circuit with a good trial and while all these dogs trial fast, this bloke probably has more upside than a few of his opponents. His chances rest on 2 things, his step at box rise, and a clear passage to the first turn. With the 5.45-5.50 dogs in this, it will be unlikely he is gifted that luck. If he does manage to barge his way through or he happens to come out on terms, they will all have to be on their game to shut him down, because if he finds the arm at any stage, the Sandgroper will be over. Has a superb gear change up the back and extends like good dogs do. Just a little too much going against him at this stage on a track that doesn’t allow errors. First 100m decides his race yet I feel there will be a few weapons in front of him to block that passage. Can’t be ruled out entirely but would have liked to see him drawn off the track here so prefer to see this time around.

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Box 3 – Wow She’s Fast

Trainer: Kel Greenough

Superstar bitch of the Australian Greyhound scene who arrives back here after being scratched from the Perth Cup heats after a sub standard trial by her lofty benchmark. Has since travelled back home and recovered from a few minor issues and has returned to WA earlier than last time in preparation for this. Has become somewhat of a moderate beginner who relies on first turn runs to get into races but she is brilliant in a field, has an uncanny knack of finding those runs and is unstoppable when securing the arm to herself. A few problems here with Crumble Monelli outside her and Momentum mustering up from box 1, and while she can navigate herself around that, it will be matter of how long it takes her to do so. Like the dog in box 2, this track does not favour her racing style and her best step at box rise will be required here. Winners win though and she has proven her doubters wrong several times before and can set Cannington alight if everything falls into place. Just enough questions to not go chips in here and while she’s a chance, she will have to earn every step of this if she is to win. 

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Box 4 – Crumble Monelli

Trainer: David Hobby 

Local speedster who has already developed a super record from his 19 runs to date. Blessed with electrifying acceleration off the mat as evidenced by his 5.35 PB first split, he had grown stronger in the run prior to being sidelined with injury. Returned last week with a pace setting 2nd behind Elite Machine and will strip a lot fitter for the run this time around. His box manners can be his Achillies heel however and the draw here does not normally allow for that little step he can take to get going at lids up. In saying that, he has a steady beginner right outside him and a risky stepper inside so he will get the necessary room to put that blistering muster on show and take up his favoured arm position which is what he will need to win this. Will look the winner up the back if they check around behind him and is a chance to sneak away here with the Sandgroper. Will elevate to the states premier sprinter in 6 months but this is winnable for him and like most of these, the start will determine his chances. 

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Box 5 – Couch Surfer

Trainer: Chris Halse 

The unexpected left field play here for TABtouch after the withdrawal of Shes A Pearl. This bloke has taken pretty much all before him over the last 3 months, the issue being all of that was over the staying trip. A gifted chaser who undoubtedly would deliver fast times on the clock over this sprint trip without traffic, he will be closer to last than first approaching the first turn. However he is coming off a reported 29.87 trial, and that won’t be enough to get it done without some improvement which he surely has. It’s a relatively simple plan here. Miss the start, drop to the fence and play for a Herculean amount of first turn luck along the fence. The upside? If he gets that run and tracks up into the back, he then becomes the dog they all have to hold out late. Just a few too many bullseyes to hit here and not enough darts. Will start the outsider but don’t leave him out of back end exotics, because nothing will descend quicker from the back when they charge for home.

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Box 6 – Fernando Mick

Trainer: David Geall 

If there is one dog you want to go into the trenches with, it’s this bloke. The current Australian Cup champ who has a record that has few equals in terms over consistent longevity. Has all the tools this dog. Box manners, early speed, a will to win and most of all, he turns up more often than not. Did fail at his lone assignment around this circuit in a Perth Cup heat but came here unseen and looked all at sea after losing the first turn. He rarely makes the same mistake twice and while he has to deal with a left turning dog in 7, he simply can’t be ignored because like all iron dogs, they just keep delivering. The box would normally suit but I’m not sure this track, these boxes and lure, and the run to he first turn, will all play out how he needs it. Reluctantly going to pass on him here, however don’t be shocked if he just comes out leads all the way. 

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Box 7 – Electrified

Trainer: Krystal Shinners

Ultra consistent local sprinter who incredibly, has only ever missed a place twice in his 33 career starts. A 16 time winner at the track, he can perform from a variety of boxes but his penchant for wanting the fence quickly has seen him cut across too quickly on occasion and a repeat could be on here. Has an awkward running style but doesn’t mind getting into push and shove to obtain a run and while he can lose a fraction of his focus around dogs, he has progressively ironed that out and will be punching up hard to the first turn for a forward position. Will most likely need the arm before they pass the 700m boxes but will reel off race winning sectionals if he does get it. The box the great leveller here but he has shown before he can offset tough draws and while this is one of his biggest tests, his record here puts him into main calculations. A lid spearing start will go a long way to aiding his bid for victory and his ability to find himself in positions to challenge sees him go into the first 4 calculations. Can win but will need a bit to go right. 

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Box 8 – Elite Machine

Trainer: Jamie Marsh

Incredibly hard to write this without sounding biased. The current favourite for the Sandgroper and the picket fence next to his name tells you why. Boxed perfectly here and will get his chance. He steps on most occasions but it’s his dazzling gear change from stand start to muster that sets him up for that back section where he drops the hammer like something out of the Fast and Furious. That’s where he sets up the run for home and while he sits 3 or 4 dogs off the fence, he sustains his sections at a level that makes it all but impossible to mow him down around this track. Will again get his chance to ski down the outside to the first turn where he can sit off the fence and get into his main work. Only a poor beginning will make that task difficult. Has everything in his favour and at risk if again sounding one sided, he really is the dog to beat all things being equal. 

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SELECTION: ELITE MACHINE

Tremendous first edition of The Sandgroper. The 8 Elite Machine goes on top. He has that magical sense of timing about him and the stage is set for him to complete the Perth Cup / Sandgroper double. The 1 Momentum goes in next. The box makes him a force here and he is mapped to be in the finish. The 7 Electrified rounds out our top 3 as his record around here can’t be ignored and he can offset tricky draws. The 4 Couch Surfer will run on late to make it an WA dominated affair. While the others can win, they need more luck than the locals and will struggle if everything doesn’t go right. Great race and best of luck to all connections and slot holders.

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