Distance races top busy program as trainers watch out for emerging future champions

RACING continues to thrive at the home of greyhound racing Winnellie Park, with an action packed 10-race program to be contested tonight.

There will be two distance races, with trainers to keep an eye on the upcoming Chief Minister’s and Darwin Cup events.

The open-distance race only has a small field, but the Andrew Lasker-trained He’s All Grunt and Before The Fire for Chris Blackman have been the most consistent open performers in recent times.

They will need to be at their best as Bowden does look a promising younger dog on the way up, and Ron Phillips will be looking to back up his performance from last week when he won well.

In the other distance race it is for the lower-grade runners and a number of these are having their first try at this journey, which should make for an interesting race.

Lemon Drop for Russell Savige is one of those and she does give you the indication this distance can suit.

Choice Way and Craig’s Mistake for leading trainer Steele Bolton also both have the exposed form to be major players in this race.

Race two is the open sprint over 312m and this event oozes class.

The likes of Mileeka for Simon Nathanael, Go Brandi for Bolton and the Greg

Milne-trained Candy Paint all have claims.

Phillips has his team travelling nicely.

He has a number of chances on the program.

These runners include Kabo’s Winlock in race one, Night Charm in race eight should be right in the mix, while in the last Eight Jewels and the quickly improving youngster Agent Nat both are more than capable.

Other notable chances include Crocodile Bolt for Savige in race five and No Humbug has drawn nicely in race six for Rob Brown.

Katy Hairy also looks well placed in race nine for Bolton.

First race is at 6.59pm NT time.