Hometown Hero Edges Closer To Launching Pad

ANTHONY Azzopardi is hoping that more racing experience will help young talent Hometown Hero develop into a serious contender for the upcoming Launching Pad series.

A half-brother to group race winners Poke The Bear, Hooked On Scotch and Out Of Range, Hometown Hero has shown glimpses of talent during his young career, including a dazzling 29.76 victory in a semi-final of the recent group 3 Maiden series at The Meadows.

FIELDS AND FORM SANDOWN PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

However that victory was one of just two wins in his six career starts to date.

"He's very immature," said Azzopardi.

"He's a very, very fast dog, he just hasn't put it all together yet. He just needs a bit of time."

Hometown Hero line up in the final of the Launching Pad qualifier at Sandown Park on Thursday evening, where he'll meet s number of talent greyhounds rounding out their Launching Pad campaigns.

The winner of the qualifier will receive a ticket into the Launching Pad heats on Thursday 31 March, however Azzopardi revealed that wasn't the reason he entered the qualifier.

"He's already got a ticket into the series," he continued.

"I more went in it because it's restricted to 1-4 wins, so more for the experience. He just doesn't know what he's doing yet.

"It's just a case of him putting it together. He's got all the speed, all the ability, he's just got to be a race dog. Without being a race dog, he'll be a nothing.

Hometown Hero was a beaten favourite in the heat of the series on Sunday afternoon when he was beaten or early speed after drawing box one.

It was the fourth time in his six starts he'd drawn the red – a draw Azzopardi believes is unsuitable – but was quite comfortable with drawing box 6 on Thursday.

"I prefer him drawn wide than inside because he likes to get off the track a little bit. He likes to get three or four off the fence, that's just always been his running.

"Box six is suitable, not too bad for him."

In other news from the kennel, Azzopardi confirmed McCooly's Lad is close to return to the track after suffering a strained hock in a Country Classic heat at Dubbo.

"He's back in work now. It (the injury) wasn't that bad, but I gave him longer than they told me to just to make sure.

"I reckon he'll be racing in three-four weeks. I haven't got anything special in mind for him at the moment, just bring him back and see what happens from there. He'll go at his own pace."

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For a number of greyhounds, Thursday night's Sandown Park meeting will be the final hit out ahead of next week's Launching Pad series.

But while the focus sharpens towards the $460,000 slot race series, there's a number of other races – and greyhounds – worth paying attention to.

Here's five points of interest on the Sandown card.

1. The Launching Pad Qualifier Final (race 4)

A number of very smart greyhounds will use this race as a springboard into next week's Launching Pad heats.

She's Refined (box 5) has already won four of five starts at Sandown Park, Hometown Hero (6) won at The Meadows in 29.76 just three starts ago, and Yahiro Bale (7) was the fastest qualifier for thi final.

A win will earn connections a ticket into the Launching Pad however many have already secured a slot, this series serving as a tune up for next week's main event. The form out of this race will be worth following through the three week Launching Pad series.

2. Warragul To Sandown Final (race 3)

Like the Launching Pad Qualifier Final, the Warragul to Sandown final is restricted to greyhounds with 1-4 wins and therefore, these finalists are also eligible for the Launching Pad (open to greyhounds with 1-6 wins, no more than 30 starts).

There is no Launching Pad ticket attached to this race, however a number of finalists have already lit up Sandown Park including Here Comes Pie (box 1, 29.25 best time), Amlin Emperor (box 7, 29.39 best) and Boom Lateral (box 3, 29.69 best), and again should prove a good form reference going forward.

3. Jarrick Bale stepping up to 715m (race 7)

A group 1 winner over 600m and 650m, Jarrick Bale will step up to the ‘half-mile' for the first time in race 7.

He ran second in his heat and semi final in the recent Country Classic in New South Wales before missing the start in the final and finishing at the rear of the field. He looks ready for the step up in distance and should settle further forward, especially given the favourable draw.

He'll be short but deserves to be in a modest 715m field. Watch the clock if conditions suit.

4. Robbie Rotten back at Sandown Park (race 8)

The Warragul Cup winner and Shepparton Cup runner up Robbie Rotten returns to Sandown Park in a race for the first time since before Christmas 2021 where he won at his only start at the venue. However he has trialled there since – in very fast time so the track watchers say – and as long as he can a clear run early from box 6, should slash his best time of 29.50.

5. Track record holder Collinda Patty ready for 595m (race 6)

She's had her share of issues, but when right Collinda Parry has proven herself to be one of the best middle-distance chasers in the country. She failed to fire a shot last Saturday at the Meadows after finding early trouble, and drawing box 5 is not ideal here though there isn't a lot of early speed around her.

She will start favourite – she's started favourite 15 times in her 21 starts – and presents a quandary for punters. On ability she's just better than her rivals – that applies to most of her starts – but can she show it on race day?

Best: Here Comes Pie (race 3, box 1)

Each Way: Omega Gringo (race 6, box 2)

Quaddie: 126 / 1256 / 2 / 12368 = 83% for $50