In Brief
- Two heats of the Buckle Up Wes Rising Stars combine outstanding local talent.
- Aston Dee Bee - She's All Class littermates dominate numbers in the series.
- Quick Joey Small to start favourite from box eight coming off a strong 29.52 victory.
Two heats of the Buckle Up Wes Rising Stars (515m) will be run and won in Launceston on Monday night, with some outstanding local prospects on a path towards the upcoming Group 2 Ladbrokes Launceston Cup series.
The Rising Stars will carry a winner’s purse of $2,330, which will be presented to winning connections next Monday.
Longford trainer David Crosswell will bring five runners to Monday’s heats at the Ladbrokes Racing Centre. All five gallopers are siblings from the Aston Dee Bee – She’s All Class litter who have taken the local ranks by storm since last year, all recording wins breaking the 30 second mark in just a handful of starts over the 515-metre trip.
Quick Joey Small is the early favourite in the first heat following a red-hot 29.52 effort in Launceston a fortnight ago.
The black dog has raced six times over the 515 metres for three wins and two minor placings, his last start win was by far his best recorded effort to date over the sprint trip, when beating Jamo by 4-1/4 lengths coming from box four.
Coming from box eight shouldn’t be too much of a concern as his early speed should see him jump quickly and it will be hard to catch Quick Joey Small if he finds the front early, knowing that he can be strong with a trouble free run.
Kennel mate Highland Wonder has drawn inside his sibling in box seven. Other dangers in the first heat include Parkour for Ted Medhurst and the two Ben Englund-trained runners Wynburn Burner and Wynburn Express.
Group 3 Devonport Chase winner Wynburn Sheean will make its highly anticipated return from box 1 in heat two.
Yet to have graced Launceston in any of his 15 starts to date, the Ben Englund-trained runner has raced outstandingly through his lightly raced career having finished a brilliant fourth to Tommy Shelby in the Hobart Thousand final in December. His form from inside draws remains undefeated having won three from three wearing the red vest.
Litter brother Vintage Fame posted a 29.99s victory in Launceston a fortnight ago, coming from box eight it was a mighty effort holding Wynburn Express at bay to score by three lengths, showing plenty of tenacity in the process.
The David Crosswell-trained runner has a personal best time of 29.85s for the track and distance. Vintage Fame is racing in tremendous form of late and drawing the inside should produce an easier run this time from box three.
Wizz Kev (box 7) and Highland Chief (box 2) both look to be the next best in posing any threat to favourite’s chances.
The first four placegetters from the two heats will progress through to the Rising Stars final decider next Monday night.
Monday night’s Launceston greyhound program commences at 19.30, with all races live streamed on TasracingTV.
Watch the win of Quick Joey Small (box 4) posting a sensational 29.52 win on 4 January.