HERE COMES PAPPA TO CHALLENGE THE ROCKET

MALI’S Rocket will be aiming to blast off from the gates as she aims to blaze the field in the Premium Glass Fencing FFA over 498m.

The Heath Ardle-trained runner will be an early favourite in the race after she scored by a neck over the same distance at the Townsville Showgrounds track last week.

She has drawn wider than that run, set to come out of six tonight, but will still prove hard to catch on the bunny.

Here Comes Pappa (3), for Scott Atkinson, has good form and could be a minor threat to her chances.

Super Hard (5), for Andrew Wooler, has been mixing distances of late with a couple of wins in a row and looms as a place chance.

Inconsequential (7), for Kerry Griffin, ran third last Tuesday behind Mali’s Rocket, has good box manners and with a clear run across to the rails should be up with the front runners.

The FFA is one of 12 exciting races on the Townsville Greyhounds program which also includes the Harold Hovi Best 8 over 380m.

John Strachin (8), for Andrew Wooler, should start favourite. He had this draw last week when kennelmate Super Hard flew along the rails to score by a neck. He can begin well and will take some catching on the bunny.

He will not be alone in the chances with Mel’s Gift (1), for Michael Hickmott, now in open company after scoring a strong win last week from the inside box in a smart 21.65.

Rum And Hustle (4), for Paul Smith, is in good form here, running a good second on Friday behind Good Odds Nutty and will be up there with the front runners.

Kennelling for tonight’s meeting closes at 6.30pm with the first race at 7.15pm.