Johnny Dark may light it up

NORTH Queensland’s best young greyhounds will get their opportunity to shine under lights at the Townsville Showgrounds tonight.

The Racing Queensland Young Guns grand final over 498m will highlight a stacked 10-race event at the Townsville Greyhound Club.

It could be a relatively unknown quantity in Johnny Dark that will prove a few headaches for the field as he jumps in the ruby rug.

The former South Australia runner won his first race for new trainer Henry Parker at Townsville a week ago over the 380m distance.

He also holds wins over the 400m and 531m at Gawler and was placed over the long 643m showing his versatility on the track.

But if anything will be a query on Johnny Dark, it is the distance with tonight’s final his first run over the 498m.

Mali’s Rocket (2) for Heath Ardle won her last start over the journey from box six in 29.04 and will be up there with the leaders.

Final Plea (3) for Brad Belford won last week over the 380m and tonight returns to his favourite distance.

Final Plea has won both his starts over the journey which should put him into early favouritism.

Good Odds Nutty (5) for Michael Hickmott won his last start from box two in 28.94 and could loom as a danger if he can get clear space early on.

Hickmott will also rug up Moving Target (6) in the final. Moving Target has won his past three starts over the 380m including equalling the Townsville track record.

He is stepping up to the 498m, but on his breeding he should run the journey out strongly.

Criminal Mind (7) for Greta Thomson is a fair beginner, he has mid race acceleration and a strong run home while in the outside box will be Vegas Talks (8) for Belford.

Kennelling for tonight’s meeting closes at 6.08pm with the first race to jump at 6.53pm.