Six heats of the Group 2 Sire On Ice Black Top will be contested on Friday night at Ladbrokes Gardens, here’s our top three picks for each of the preliminaries:
Overflow Jill ($3.75 with Ladbrokes) comes off a third-placed effort in the Group 1 Dapto Megastar behind Good Odds Cobber and Harmony Fire and after only winning one race between January 27 and August 8, she’s found her best form again with three victories in her last six starts. Has run 5.31 at Dapto and 5.34 at Wenty Park in the last month and has never missed a place in six starts from Box 3.
You Never Lose ($3.30) was last seen in the NSW National Sprint final behind Might Have Been and is another Paul Abela/Michelle Sultana work in progress. He’s had 18 starts and only missed the frame on two occasions. Jumps from Box 1 and could trail Overflow Jill perfectly into the race.
I’m A Mustang ($2.45) trialled pretty well in 29.44. That was her first look after joining Dave Smith from Matt Lanigan’s kennel, the pair also combined earlier this year when Canya Amy ran second in the Association Cup and third in ‘The 715’. Launching Pad finalist earlier this year in Victoria.
Tulsi Banner ($1.95) has only raced four times since winning the Group 1 Peter Mosman Opal but three of them have been wins, including a superb 29.29 effort at The Gardens two weeks ago. She’s a speed machine early and the 4.92 first section she ran last start is the same as track record holder French Martini ran in the Black Top heats two years ago. Box 8 isn’t perfect though and Tarzan Teddy and Siren Queen underneath can both fly early as well.
Nad Al Sheba ($2.90) trialled in 29.28 and seems to be in peak form at the moment. Has won four on the bounce, including the Maitland Regional final of the MDC where he beat Rinsed The Lot and Barefoot Zulu, and has only missed a place twice in his last 11 starts. It’ll either be him or Tulsi Banner who wins this race.
Siren Queen ($18) can run great early splits (4.90 is her best) and on a leader’s track, that could hold her in good stead. Will have pressure from both sides though and her best of 29.56 might not be good enough in a Group race series.
Angel Shirley ($2) hasn’t raced at The Gardens before is a winner in three of her last five. She fell in the final of the The Ambrosoli back in April but has returned a better greyhound, with the Gosford Goldmine victory over Power And Glory (who has since broken the Bulli track record) looking like A-Grade form. Kennel has won 18 races in their last 37 outings and Angel Shirley looks ready to rumble.
Lady Wilson ($7.50) is a decent beginner for Sam Sultana who could be vying for the lead as they go through the catching pen. Won back-to-back races at Wentworth Park recently in 29.35 and 29.45 and also knocked off Tulsi Banner running 29.55 at headquarters. Good price in a small field.
Gets Late Early ($4.20) ran fourth in the Megastar final and may have won the race if Good Odds Cobber didn’t nearly take her nose off approaching the first bend. Missing it a little bit wouldn’t be the worst outcome here with the two other likely hopes drawn either side and you know the 2024 National Futurity winner will run a good race.
Harmony Fire ($3.10) on top in the most open heat but the recent Group 1 Dapto Megastar runner-up deserves to be favourite. She carved out a great opening split at Dapto last week (5.29) and if she can do the same here from the perfect Box 1 draw, she’ll be mighty hard to run down. 10 wins and eight seconds from 25 starts is great going, and although she’s not the strongest bitch, if she pinches a break, it’ll all be over.
Toodles Jack ($3.20) ran third Bella Una in the Dubbo regional final of the MDC but had produced runs of 29.39 at Dubbo and 29.57 at Wenty Park recently. Is a big lump of a thing so not sure how he’ll handle the tight turning Gardens circuit but he’s the sort of animal Harmony Fire doesn’t want on her tail.
Boston Banner ($4.20), much like his sister Tulsi, has also been lightly raced since he appeared in the Vic Peters Classic final in July. Four starts for two wins and he did have a crack over the 600m at The Gardens two months ago. Good honest dog who has won four of five from Box 4.
Good Odds Cobber ($1.65) is flying. Group 1 Dapto Megastar winner with a leg in the air and the way he flew into that first corner at Dapto with no regard for his own safety was sublime viewing. He’s a hardened race dog now so no qualms with him backing up into the Black Top. He’s won 16 races so far this year and has G1, G2 and G3 trophies in the cabinet now, just needs a crack at them from Box 7.
Black Tsunami ($9) is a monster at around 40kg and Box 8 might not be too bad for him to find his stride. He’s not in the elite category of chasers in the state but he’s an honest type who usually runs well. Has only missed a place once in his last 14 runs which sums him up pretty well and he’s in a great kennel.
Miss Zig Zag ($11) has been around the mark in the Ladies Bracelet and Chief Havoc Cup this year but that’s about her level. 10-time winner who needs to begin well in this field with class outside and speed inside in Frisky Felon.
Sunset Frazier ($1.85) comes to NSW with big wraps. Part of the all-conquering Hobby kennel in WA, this guy can really fly. He almost pulled off a remarkable win The Sandgroper back in April, before running some handy races in the Flying Amy and Brisbane Cup heats. Sizzles early but will have to clear Both Bowers Ace who may drift up, then his second section can bust races apart. The only query is late in the piece but he could have an insurmountable lead by then.
Ali Tango ($6) has a track and trip PB of 29.29 which not many dogs in the series can claim. He’s under the watchful eye of Joe McFadyen who has had feature race success in the last 12 months, but he’ll need to zoom early to cross the WA visitor. Never lost in four starts at the track which bodes well for those who want a bit more meat on the punting bone.
Both Bowers Ace ($2.80) will probably roll up the track a little which could impact Sunset Frazier’s start. Best case is probably to tack onto the back of that greyhound and try and pounce late considering he is a true 520m dog. Second in the Richmond Derby and the Nowra Puppy Classic, could bob up here.
Best Bet - Good Odds Cobber
Best Value - Ali Tango
The winner of each heat of the Group 2 Sires On Ice Black Top will advance to next Friday’s $40,000-to-the-winner final. The two fastest seconds will also advance, with the next eight quickest greyhounds heading to ‘The Macca’ consolation race.
