TIPS: Can Bagman Repeat Last Start Brilliance?

BAGMAN is targeting a third straight win when he lines up in a high class Free For All at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

Trained by Dawn Johnston in Toongabbie, Bagman was sensational when carving out a 5.00 first split on his way to a slick 29.19 win in the VicBred final at Sandown Park last week.

And having again drawn box one – which enhances his prospects – he will need to be at his absolute best to prevail in what is the stiffest test of his career so far.

FIELDS AND FORM SANDOWN THURSDAY

Despite the scratching of reigning Victorian Greyhound Of The Year Hector Fawley, the field oozes class, with every runner having competed at group level and boasting prizemoney of more than $1 million.

Bagman's biggest danger comes from his immediate outside, with four-time group 1 finalist Smooth Plane returning for the first time since finishing a close second in the National Sprint Championship at Angle Park. Make No Promise was excellent in Provincial class at this track and distance last time out, while rising star Excavation, fresh from his stunning 29.13 win last Thursday, will step from box six.

The first of 12 races will jump at 6.08pm with the Free For All to jump at 8.43pm.

Best: Vista Argon (race 5, box 1)

Scored at big odds when gaining a start as a reserve two starts back and was strong to the line when narrowly beaten last time out. Takes a stride or two to get into gear from the draw so should hold the rail and prove hard to beat in the first leg of the quaddie.

Next Best: Paw Fredrick (race 2, box 2)

Is better than what his first split suggests, his want for the rail costing him early time and placing him in challenging positions through the first turn. However, once balanced, he does possess a sharp turn of foot and is capable of running faster than his 29.59 best at the track. The low draw is a big plus.

Value: Arcana (race 3, box 1)

Was running in Tier 3 class four starts ago so a sharp rise in class, but last two wins have been impressive enough to suggest he is capable of competing in what is a modest grade five event. May feel the pinch late but might be far enough ahead.

Quaddie: 1 / 178 / 147 / 1246 = $36 for 100%