Mister Harlewood Solidifies Sandown Cup Favouritism

ANY lingering doubt that Mister Harlewood was the one to beat in the fast approaching Sandown Cup series was quickly dispelled at Sandown on Thursday night with another bulletproof display.

Taking his place as a red hot favourite in the first of the rich GR8 Eight events programmed by Greyhound Racing Victoria, Mister Harlewood turned in another polished display over the 715 metres for trainer Jeff Britton, defeating track record holder Here's Tears in a slick 41.66.

The victory made it four wins on the bounce over the staying trip for Britton's all distance dynamo, his rise as one of the best stayer's in training a meteoric one.

The son of Worm Burner extended his overall record to 15 wins from 39 career outings with Thursday night's victory much to the joy of favourite punters.

Since switching to the staying trips in early April, Mister Harlewood has been faultless, winning each of his four assignments in all-the-way fashion.

In recent weeks he's claimed the scalps of some well-credentialed stayers and Thursday night was no different, defeating the Rob Britton trained Here's Tears in comprehensive fashion.

Boasting the Sandown Park 715 metre track record beside his name, the Group 1 Super Stayers winner chased hard throughout to finish second while his kennelmate Blazing Cartier finished third.

With the Sandown Cup heats now just a fortnight away, there's no doubt Mister Harlewood goes into the $71,000 series as the one to beat, with newly framed pre-post markets expected to reflect just that.