TASMANIAN greyhounds had mixed results at the official box draws for the National Sprint and Distance Championships today.
Local stayers Bell Haven and Jethro fared well in the Distance Championship drawing boxes seven and three respectively.
However, Tasmania’s representatives in the Sprint Championship, Rob Pines and New Recruit were not favorably drawn in boxes six and one respectively.
While box one might appear good for New Recruit, it could not have been worse as he is best suited in a wide box, while had the draw been reversed the Tasmanian dogs would have stood a chance of figuring in the money.
New South Wales speedster Exclusive One is ideally drawn in box eight and is likely to start a warm favourite.
Champion staying bitch Miata from Western Australia has drawn awkwardly in box six but given what she did at her first look at the track in a solo trial over 599 metres in Hobart on Thursday night she is definitely the one to beat.
Miata stopped the clock at 34.06 seconds that shaved .15 seconds off the previous best and her trainer Paul Stuart said he couldn’t have been happier with the outcome.
Bell Haven has drawn well in box seven and should she begin well she may cause Miata some grief as they head to the first turn while her litter brother Jethro will make his presence felt if he can begin with them from box three.
Miata headed back to Western Australia today and will return to Tasmania next Thursday.
Tasmania’s greyhound racing historian and astute punter Greg Fahey believes these two finals are the best assembled in many years.
Listen to what Greg Fahey had to say about the championships and his views on the best chances in each race – click here
Box Draws for both finals.
2012 Tattsbet National Sprint Championship Final
1 New Recruit Tas Mick Stringer
2 Uno Reltub WA Linda Britton
3 Aston Thomas SA Raymond Murray
4 Oaks Road NSW Mark Gatt
5 Glen Gallon Qld Tony Brett
6 Rob Pines Tas Ted Medhurst
7 Fabregas Vic David Hurst
8 Exclusive One NSW David Righetti
9 Bergermeister Tas Mick Stringer
10 Irinka Julia Tas Joe Pringle
2012 Wrest National Distance Championship Final
1 Tarlie’s Angel Qld Bruce Linnan
2 Abdon Bale SA Lisa Rasmussen
3 Jethro Tas Butch Deverell
4 Karanji Vic Angela Langton
5 He Knows Uno NSW Michael Patterson
6 Miata WA Paul Stuart
7 Bell Haven Tas Ted Medhurst
8 Irma Bale NSW Graeme Bate
9 Beaudine Tas Butch Deverell
10 Baretta Bee Tas Ted Medhurst