Greyhounds Betting: Golden Collar heats preview

Sky Previews / Darrell Williams / 13 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

Belle Vue is the place to be on Thursday evening as the Manchester track stages the heats of the Gold Collar - an event which culminates with a final live on Sky Sports in two Thursdays time, 28th August. Darrell Williams marks your card.

It's hard to quibble with the market in making Commander Chief favourite. Laurence Tuffin's greyhound has been the 'nearly dog' twice over at the highest level this term - finishing runner-up in the Blue Riband before adding another bridesmaid slot in the recent Sussex Cup; his high class form very nearly landing him a Select Stakes slot.

Admittedly he is untried over this trip in competitive company, but an impressive trial last weekend suggests that six bends, and this is amongst the easiest trips for that discipline at just 590m, will hold no fears. If anything it could be the making of him given his strong running style over four bends, which might go someway to explaining a rather modest strike rate of just three wins from 21 previous starts. While I certainly want him on my side, and recommend at least a minimum covering interest, his ante post price is rather reflective of his big race record, and for the main bet I prefer to look elsewhere.

In selecting Romeo Turbo, I have also gone for a greyhound with a proven competition record, highlighted by a runners-up spot in the Grand Prix at Sunderland last month. Part of the Dave Firmager team that yielded a big odds treble in the first round of the Derby, before eventually going out in round three, he also reached the recent Produce semi-finals at Swindon. A decent introduction to Belle Vue when winning a trial stakes two weeks ago confirms he handles the circuit, while a troubled run back over the CD last week, behind first round rival East County, is easily forgiven. One of just seven wide runners in the event, he should enjoy the best of the draw throughout the three round event and rates my best bet.

Pond Shakira, also drawn in the same heat (7.55), is another that fits into the 'could be anything' category over six bends, with a rough ride in his introductory 590m race last time offering little in the way of clues, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him relish the extra distance. Harry Williams' bitch has been well touted in her career so far, and the shrewd handler should enjoy plenty of success with her over this sort of trip.

For those dabbling in the heats, Barnfield Loreto should be good enough in the 8.25 after producing a more than respectable performance in a trial last week, despite a far from untroubled run. With useful Cortsway Giants - a regular at the track - in the line-up, he should trade at reasonable odds.

2007 All England Cup winner Go Edie Honda has not been getting home recently, but can enjoy more success in the 9.11 heat after a brace of near misses at the track in recent weeks, while Noirs Wild gets the vote in the opening heat at 7.40. Otto Kueres locally based hope should be high on confidence after a recent trial following at disappointing run at Hull previously.