All eyes on Stratford
CONTENDERS will line up across the track in the Townsville Derby Final over 498m when greyhound racing gets under way on Tuesday night.
In what is expected to be the race of the night, Rhonda Essery’s Stratford (8) will head into the contest in full flight, having announced his return from Brisbane with back-to-back wins.
Among those victories was the Townsville Cup Consolation, and he will be hard to catch on the bunny.
That’s not to say he will not have his challengers.
Excuse Me Jack (6) for Harold Hovi ran third in the Townsville Cup final, and if he gets a good start will be a major danger to Stratford.
Canya Go Wild (1) for Scott Atkinson has mixed form including a fall, but he bounced back to his best on Friday with a win over the 380m. He is expected to be up with the front runners.
Hovi’s On A High (2) has had nine starts over the journey for six wins and a best
time of 28.68 seconds. This fellow has good mid-race acceleration and a strong run home, positioning him well to cause an upset.
Before the Derby Final will be heats of the Townsville Futurity over 498m, with
an open race kicking it off in race six.
Miss Priddle (1) for Essery has good form over the sprint including the Sprint final at the Cup carnival. She is having her first start over the journey and should lead for a
long way. New To Me (6) for Brad Belford will also be getting her first look at the journey, having raced well in the leadup, while Justin Reid’s Riding Hood (8) goes in as an outsider.
Inconsequential (5) for
Kerry Griffin will head into the second heat as the favourite, having had 29 starts over this trip for seven wins and seven placings.
She has good box manners and a clear run to the rail will enable her to lead this field.