*Written by Dan Hibberd.
*Written by Dan Hibberd.
With the Dream Chasers festival right on our doorstep, the elite of greyhound racing are beginning to have eyes on Melbourne for the next six weeks. But the green shoots of the sport will be on full display at Shepparton on Monday evening with a sensational edition of the Group 3 Northern Districts Cup.
Ordinarily the $25,000 to the winner feature may have slipped under the radar given its closeness to the spring riches in November, but not this year.
Three sensational heat winners, a couple of gallant runners up performances and a dash of local flavour set the scene for a race many keen observers will be desperate to watch.
Heat winners Dewana Star ($1.75 box 2) and Analyzation ($2.50 box 1) head the market ahead of third heat winner Carry On Maci ($8.50 box 5).
The top seeds bring top shelf form and records to the final in the lead up to dominant heat wins last week in blustery conditions.
It’s hard to argue the potential that Dewana Star has.
Six starts for five wins and whisker outside the short course track record at Shepparton two starts ago.
His biggest asset so far – blazing early speed. He’s put a gap on his opponents very early on and he will have to do the same in the final.
Dewana Star wins a heat of the Northen Districts Cup from box one in a time of 24.90 seconds.
Analyzation’s record is just about blemish free. 14 runs, 10 wins, three placings. He flew out of box 7 to lead his heat and if he can hold out the fav early the race will be on.
Analyzation wins a heat of the Northen Districts Cup in a time of 25.03 seconds.
Carry On Maci can sit on the same stage as the two ahead of her in the market given her record (12 starts for nine wins).
She’s a touch slower off the mat then the boys but her acceleration after that is powerful.
If all three are on the speed it’s going to be a hell of a race.
Outside of the major players, Elite One ($10 box 4), who tasted defeat for the first time in the heat, was still very brave behind Analyzation and is certainly the best of the other qualifiers.
But if Zambada Icon ($46 Box 6) for local Robert Sullivan happens to land the prize it will be a buzzing atmosphere on course.
Carry On Maci wins a heat of the Northen Districts Cup in a time of 25.25 seconds.
From a selection point of view, I can’t tip against Dewana Star. Why? His box speed. He is literally coming out as fast as the lids go up and if he does that again I’m expecting him to win. It’s his second run over the 450m and if given the right conditions he can run super time.
Analyzation is not far behind him though. He is drawn to get the perfect trail, and he will be strong at the back end.
Carry On Maci and Elite One for me can win with the right luck but are just off the favourites.
2.Dewana Star
1.Analyzation
4.Elite One
5.Carry On Maci