Three greyhounds will line up at The Meadows on Wednesday for trainer Matthew Lanigan, all of which are winning hopes.
In Race 2, Weblec Storm is having his third race day start, and comes up with Box 4. He wasn’t far away when he finished fifth on debut at Geelong over 400m, and followed that up with a solid second over 460m at Geelong Friday, when he was only fairly away and then showed a nice turn of foot to grab second.
“He’s only young and is still learning what it’s all about. He certainly showed a lot of improvement from the field experience the week before, and he has trialled pretty well at The Meadows. He’s bred to be strong, so hopefully he sees out the 500m,” says Lanigan.
Tinsel Doll comes up with Box 1 in Race 3. As the daughter of Fernando Bale and Oakvale Destiny (winner of the Group 1 Sapphire Crown in 2014), she is beautifully bred, and looks a winning chance on Wednesday.
She’s already had two wins from eight race day starts, including a last start victory at Geelong on Friday over 400m in 22.80. She only jumped fairly that day, then demonstrated terrific acceleration to drive through the field, and proved too strong in the end.
“She won her maiden at Ballarat in a flying time. She’s also only young and learning about being in a field. She’s trialled really well here in the past, and the inside draw will help. Hopefully she can get out in front and be left alone to do her own thing. She should be able to run some quick sectionals,” says Lanigan.
In Race 10, Buddy Boy Turbo will be jumping from Box 2. He’s the winner of four from 12 so far, and has finished fourth in his past couple of races, both here on the track. He missed the jump badly on Saturday from Box 7, but made up solid ground for fourth.
“I’ve been a bit disappointed that he’s missed the jump in his last two starts – his run before that at Ballarat was sensational, when he jumped well. The inside draw will help – hopefully he can begin a bit better and find himself in a forward position. He is very strong and has been hitting the line really well.”
Lanigan finds it hard to split Tinsel Doll and Buddy Boy Turbo as his best of the day.
“Tinsel Doll is probably my best because of the draw, and with her early pace, she might be able to get out in front and prove hard to catch. But I’ve also got a pretty big opinion of Buddy Boy Turbo if he can begin. He’s probably the dog with the most ability, but it’s better to be out in front,” says Lanigan.
