Sandown Park: Laurels Classic Night Preview

THE best young female chasers in Australia will line up at Sandown Park on Thursday night for the heats of the Laurels Classic.

First run in 1963, the ‘Victorian Oaks' of greyhound racing has been won by some of the greats of the sport including Cheltenham Lass, Winifred Bale, Sandi's Me Mum, Paua To Burn and Up Hill Jill. The race has proven an outstanding form reference for punters, and an even better guide for breeders.

The winner and runner up from each of the four heats will progress to the $55,000 to the winner Group 2 final on Thursday, December 14.

FIELDS AND FORM SANDOWN THURSDAY NIGHT

Heat 1

Isle Of Rose (1) (pictured) had built an impressive record in NSW before transferring to the Greenough kennel for this series. Had no luck in her first start at Sandown before nailing the start from box 8 last Thursday to lead all of the way and win in 29.68. Drawn the red here she looks very hard to beat. Aston Gaga (2) won't know herself drawn this close to the fence – she's drawn 6 or worse in each of her last five starts, and eight of her 10 career starts have been from box 5 or wider. Keisha (6) has ability but her best form is from wide draws on horseshoe tracks.

Tips: 1-2-6-8

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Heat 2

Here Comes Milli (4) won four in a row at Sandown Park breaking 29.50 each time before finding trouble early in her last two, a heat of the Melbourne Cup and the Group 3 Cup Night Sprint. Back to her own age and sex here is clearly the one to beat. Aunt Virginia (3) has had just five career starts but did win 29.57 here on debut and has solid 29.90 and 30.04 wins at the Meadows to her name. Oh Evie (1) is the only other runner in single figures coming off consecutive Bendigo 425m victories. Box 1 helps but is a risk at her first start over the trip.

Tips: 4-3-5-8

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Heat 3

Another short favourite in the third heat with I'm A Mustang (1) dominating betting courtesy of her 29.44 win in the rich Vic Bred Maiden win on Melbourne Cup night. She has drawn the same box here but this is a rapid rise in class for a greyhound with just three starts to her name. Common Step (7) led for all but the closing stages in the Group 3 Provincial Plate here last time out. She should improve off that run and as long as she can get a clear run from the wider draw (she has a 3-1-0 record from boxes 7 and 8) looks better value.

Tips: 7-1-2-3

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Heat 4

The most open of the heats with Meatball Molly (6) the early favourite but with Lamia Mila (4), Canya Hypersonic (2) and Lakeview Francie (1) all under $5 in early markets and each brings a different form line – Meatball Molly has been racing in top grade but is winless in eight starts, Lakeview Francie has been running over the staying trip (but does have a 29.55 win here), Canya Hypersonic won brilliantly over the shorts last time, while Lamia Mila has been placed in her last six around one turn. Lamia Mila has the pace to lead and while she may get tired towards the end, could be far enough in front to pinch it.

Tips: 4-6-1-5

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Tips for Sandown on Thursday night.

Best Bet: Fabs Vegetable (Race 8, No. 1)

Next best: Isle Of Rose (Race 1, No. 1)

Each way: Quebec Bale (Race 7 No. 1) 

Quaddie: Field / 1,2,3 / 1,2,3 / 1,2 = 34.7% for $50