Favourites brace for aggressive challenge

GREYHOUND racing returns to the Townsville Showgrounds tonight with the highlights of the 11- race program the final of the Racing Queensland Young Guns over 498m, and five fourth- fifth grade heats over 380m.

Race eight is the RQ Young Guns Final, where Licorice Shot ( 7) for Rhonda Essery will start favourite after winning his heat comfortably last week in 29.01.

Bimbadgen Man ( 1) for Darren Taylor will also start as favourite after his good win last week in 29.03, and has a best time of 28.79.

Willy Rocket ( 4) for Clarence Wilcox will be a danger to the favourites after running a good second behind Bimbadgen Man; he will be improved for the run.

Magic Doug ( 3), another of Essery’s five runners, is the litter brother to Licorice Shot and will be another of the dangers to the favourites.

Rhonda’s Dougie ( 2) for Essery is a place chance after a good second behind Licorice Shot last week.

Race seven is the All Rig Lifting and Engineering Best 8 over 380m.

Old Mate Kick ( 1) for Joan Newnham who had this box last week when fourth behind Innocent Man, gets his chance tonight.

However, Innocent Man ( 2) for Glen Olsen should start favourite after making it backto- back wins and he will be hard to beat.

Whatta Pass ( 4) and Toes ( 8) are Glen Olsen’s other two starters who finished second and third respectively last week last week behind Innocent Man.

Nova Party ( 6) for Robert Lound ran a good third in his last start behind Innocent Man and is a place chance, while Bundy Cutter ( 5) for Robert Lound won from this box three starts back and can begin on his night.