Hepburn's ‘Dream' Run Set To Continue

BETTING for race three tonight at Launceston suggests it will be a two-dog war between the very in-form Dolly’s Dream and six time winner Thunda Touch.

Adam Dobbin02 March 2020

BETTING for race three tonight at Launceston suggests it will be a two-dog war between Dolly's Dream and Thunda Touch.

A grade five over the 278 metres, the two currently share equal favouritism at $2.10, with the in-form Dolly's Dream drawn box two while former NSW sprinter Thunda Touch will be having his second local start from box five.

Dolly's Dream, trained by Chris Hepburn, steps out for start 10 tonight, the daughter of Cosmic Chief in a purple patch of form, boasting three wins and three placings from her past six outings.

"It's good to have one going good for once, whenever I seem to get a good one something always goes wrong," Hepburn said.

"When I first got this bitch I didn't think she'd go a yard past 300 but she's kept improving every time I've put her around. She's come along in leaps and bounds.

"When she hits the ground she really accelerates and I expect her to be hard to beat again tonight. Although she's in a ‘punch and crunch' over the 278m, she needs to come out."

Not two until April, Hepburn says he'll plot a steady course with the talented juvenile for the next few months while she still has grade six events at her disposal.

"There's grade 6 heats over the 340m at Hobart next week so I'll head there after tonight," Hepburn explained.

"It doesn't look like an overly strong race tonight but the question is obviously the five dog … I don't know a lot about it so we'll just see. My bitch comes out steady but really goes when she hits the ground – she's well boxed."

Thunda Touch is one of two greyhounds Darryl Fitzsimmons has engaged in tonight's third event, the out of form Ultimate Cosmic lining up also from box six.

Thunda Touch finished third as an odds-on favourite at his Launceston debut on February 17 after posting some slashing times when claiming six wins in NSW beforehand.

With no less than nine runners tonight at Launceston, one of Fitzsimmons' better chances on the program looms in race eight where the in-form Notorious Tiger looks set to continue on his winning way.

Scoring at his past two appearances, the son of Dyna Double One steps up to the 515 metres for the first time where it's anticipated he'll give his opposition plenty to catch.

Launceston Form Preview: Monday, March 2

Following a week off, we return to the regular Monday night Launceston greyhounds with a 10-race card set to commence at 19:39. The best bet has had some early support in the opener and looks very hard to beat.

Best Bet

Race 1 – 1. Rachael 3 units to WIN

R1 Ladbrokes.com.au, 278m

Race Breakdown: RACHAEL (1) seemed to appreciate being drawn closer to the fence last start after four outside boxes in a row. She was impressive running a close second in quick time and looks suited here from the inside draw. There doesn't look to be a great deal of speed to her outside and there is a wide runner in box four, so she appears a decent chance of holding the lead to the turn. Litter brother, INNER CIRCLE (2) has recorded some smart times although his best has been a few lengths slower than RACHAEL (1) at Devonport.

Staking Strategy: After doing most of her racing from poor boxes, RACHAEL (1) should appreciate the inside draw.

Betting Plan: RACHAEL (1) 3 units to WIN

R2 Ladbrokes Back Yourself, 278m

Race Breakdown: GERSHWIN RHYTHM (4) has been racing consistently and ran a smart second in Hobart recently where she was too quick for SENZA BREEZE (1) and BRIDWOOD MCKENNA (5) who are well supported runners in this race. She has a tough draw and may need some luck early but looks a top chance on her Hobart run recently where she recorded sectional times of 5.09 and 11.26 from the same box. SENZA BREEZE (1) has the advantage of the red box which wins almost a quarter of the races over the 278m.

Staking Strategy: On her smart Hobart run, GERSHWIN RHYTHM (4) looks a decent winning chance.

Betting Plan: GERSHWIN RHYTHM (4) 1 unit to WIN

R3 Curtains & Blinds, 278m

Race Breakdown: DOLLY'S DREAM (2) has been displaying great early and mid-race speed at her recent races resulting in some terrific wins at Devonport and she has recorded 16.35 on the track from the same draw. A repeat of that effort would make her hard to beat in this race. BENKY PEARL (1) has been racing from tough draws in better class events and the last time she had a decent box she won in this grade in a time of 16.41. Chance if she can bring her best. THUNDA TOUCH (5) stayed wide from the outside draw last start and raced wide throughout so he can improve on his time of 16.44 if he can race closer to the fence.

Staking Strategy: DOLLY'S DREAM (2) looks a top chance but has opened very short odds, taking BENKY PEARL (1) at the nice price and saving on the favourite.

Betting Plan: BENKY PEARL (1) 2 units to WIN. DOLLY'S DREAM (2) 2 units to WIN

R4 Tasracing Formplus, 278m

Race Breakdown: TWISTED SISTER (5) is first-up for her new trainer Anthony Bullock who had great success when he took over the training of her litter brother not long ago. She was impressive during her last campaign running a fast time over the 340m in Hobart to go with some great races over the 515m here on the Launceston track. OMBRE ROSE (7) has terrific New South Wales form where she has won 16 races but has a difficult draw here. ANNDAR WINX (8) has run some excellent races over the 515m here including a placing from this draw last time out.

Staking Strategy: If her new trainer can get the same level of improvement that he managed to achieve with her litter brother, TWISTED SISTER (5) could be hard to beat.

Betting Plan: TWISTED SISTER (5) 1 unit to WIN

R5 Put Your Quaddies On, 278m

Race Breakdown: EXPLOSIVE DRUMS (6) beat a quality Free-For-All field last time out in Hobart from a similar, wide draw which she seems to appreciate and her best run on the track of 16.11 is from this draw. There are two good beginners who rail to her outside so she will need to step well to avoid early trouble. ZIPPING MARN (2) has a great record at the track and distance and has had box five at his past three starts so will benefit from a better draw here. INNOCENT HOLLY (1) ran a great second from this draw in top-grade class recently.

Staking Strategy: She will need her best early with speed drawn on her outside but EXPLOSIVE DRUMS (6) looks well placed in this race.

Betting Plan: EXPLOSIVE DRUMS (6) 1 unit to WIN

R6 Surepick, 515m

Race Breakdown: IT'S FLETCH (5) ran a brilliant second in an Invitation class race last start in very quick time. He does race well from wide draws and there doesn't appear to be any genuine speed to his outside so he may get some room in the early stages. His best on the track of around the 30.10 mark should make him hard to beat with a clean run. MANNERS MATTER (2) has early speed and looks the leader from her nice draw. She ran 30.20 here when winning not long ago and a repeat effort makes her a top, each-way hope.

Staking Strategy: On his brilliant last start run in top-grade class, IT'S FLETCH (5) looks tough to beat.

Betting Plan: IT'S FLETCH (5) 2 units to WIN

R7 Crown Lager – Australia's Best, 515m

Race Breakdown: FRAMPTON (1) has recorded some fast times in his career including brilliant runs of 19.35 and 19.38 over the 340m in Hobart. His record at Launceston is only moderate and he is yet to win from the inside two boxes as he does like some room early in his races, but he does look to have a decent advantage on times in this field. HENABI SHARN (2) has placed second at her last two Launceston starts from similar draws and is capable of running in to the placings again here.

Staking Strategy: FRAMPTON (1) looks one of the top chances but is currently even money for the win. We can get the same odds about HENABI SHARN (2) to fill the placings from her good draw.

Betting Plan: HENABI SHARN (2) 2 units to PLACE

R8 Launceston Veterinary Group, 515m

Race Breakdown: NOTORIOUS TIGER (4) has won four of his last five starts including a tough effort from the outside draw in Devonport last time out. He has recorded some excellent early sections over the short distance on the track and steps up to the 515m for the first time. Looks the leader. FLASH COMET (6) ran a terrific second last time out in a very similar time to what NOTORIOUS TIGER (4) ran and the 30.21 she produced at a recent Launceston run should make her very competitive here.

Staking Strategy: FLASH COMET (6) has proven, solid form over the 515m here on the track.

Betting Plan: FLASH COMET (6) 1 unit to WIN

R9 Furniture City Invermay Road, 278m

Race Breakdown: Tough maiden race to assess over the short trip with three, first-starters engaged. There has been plenty of early betting support for SNEAKY STICKER (1) who has the top draw. NITRO EVE (2) has her best draw to date after some difficult wide boxes so can improve on her solid time last start. MISSING PIECE (8) has been placed from all three of his pink box starts and ran a decent time from a wide draw last time out.

Staking Strategy: With experience and form from wide draws, MISSING PIECE (8) can finish in the placings.

Betting Plan: MISSING PIECE (8) 1 unit to PLACE

R10 Furniture City Still 100% Tasmanian Owned, 278m

Race Breakdown: LACY JO (1) does her best racing from the inside and drops in class on her last 278m race on the track. Her times of around the 16.50 mark should be competitive in this field. DAN'S DUCK (5) ran two terrific races at Hobart over the 340m recently and has claims here despite the tricky draw. FAIRBANKS (3) ran a smart time when winning at Devonport recently and has run 16.31 over the track and distance. Evenly matched race.

Staking Strategy: With the advantage of the inside draw, LACY JO (1) is down in class over the 278m and looks a decent winning chance.

Betting Plan: LACY JO (1) 1 unit to WIN