Riff a real shot in tonight’s heats

GREYHOUND racing returns to the Townsville Showgrounds tonight with an 11- race program including two heats of the Burdekin Vet Services 4/ 5th Grade over 498m.

In- form greyhound Riff ( 6) for Harold Hovi will lead the way in heat one after winning well last week in 28.91 seconds from box two.

He has drawn wider this week, but he can begin on his night and should run another bold race.

Korcheck ( 1) for Nancy Maynard has won from box two over the distance in 28.93 and he has drawn well close to the rails.

Cabaret Tonight ( 3) for Rhonda Essery has mainly been racing over the short distances, but has had a couple of 498m races and looks a place chance.

Whatta Pass ( 4) began well last week to match it with Riff for quite a way before finishing third.

Meanwhile, favourite for heat two should be Innocent Man ( 3) for Glen Olsen.

He is ultra- consistent over the distance and ran a good second last week behind Riff and can go one better.

Huckabee ( 8) for Rhonda Essery is having his first look at the distance. He has run second at Ipswich on a Saturday night over the 520m and is a place chance. Not A Word ( 4) for John Forster has best time 28.97 and he can begin on his night.

Brother Rob ( 7) for Glen Olsen is a consistent dog. He’s slow out, but has good mid race pace and a strong finish.

Race 8 is the Azztek Racing 1st & 2nd Grade over 380m.

This will be the race of the night with the favourite likely to be Maywyn Accolades ( 2) for John Barrow.

She ran a good second behind Backstreet Boy last week, but she is capable of being back in the winner’s circle.

Slow Dancer ( 1) for Glen Olsen has drawn ideally. She only needs to begin and will be hard to run down on the bunny.

Backstreet Boy ( 3) for Harold Hovi won here last week from box four and will be up there with the early leaders to make it two from two.

Toes ( 4) for Glen Olsen steps up in grade and he can begin on his night to be up there with a show.