Preview: Group 3 Launching Pad Final

DASHING Slay's dazzling 28.95 semi-final win will see the former South Australian start favourite for Thursday night's Launching Pad Final (515m) at Sandown Park.

After a solid 29.56 victory following an average getaway in her heat, the daughter of Fernando Bale was brilliant in her second Sandown Park start, defeating Doongalla Jessie by 7 1/2 lengths and becoming the second greyhound to break 29 seconds in the Launching Pad, following Wow She's Fast's 28.93 effort when winning the 2022 edition.

As impressive as the victory was, her first split of 5.07 was some margin off some of her rivals – including the two greyhounds drawn either side of her. 

FIELDS AND FORM SANDOWN PARK THURSDAY NIGHT

Doongalla Jessie (1) and Valenzuela (3) both ran 5.03, while Wyong Dallas (8) – the only other greyhound undefeated in the series – ran 5.02.

The Launching Pad, the Launching Pad Consolation and Runway finals, as well as the Group 3 Easter Gift, make for an exciting night of racing to kick off the long weekend. 

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1. DOONGALLA JESSIE

Trainer: Correy Grenfell

Heat: 29.46 (second to Wyong Dallas)

Semi-final: 29.46 (second to Dashing Slay)

Began faultlessly in her two starts this series, splitting 5.02 and 5.03 before running 29.46 on both occasions. Does drop down to the rail so the inside draw is a plus and her early speed should see her clear should there be trouble behind. However her final split is her weakness and may need a big lead to hang on for victory.

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2. DASHING SLAY 

Trainer: Kayla Cottrell

Heat: 29.56

Semi-final: 28.95

Couldn't have been more impressive in her semi final. A quick start put her in a strong position, however her 13.50 middle section was outstanding – more than three lengths faster than any of the finalists – as was her 10.485 run home. If she gets a clear run into the back straight, she wins.

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3. VALENZUELA

Trainer: Jeff Britton

Heat: 29.67 (third to Kiwi Harry)

Semi-final: 29.49 (second to Wyong Dallas)

Broke well from the inside draw last week and showed good field sense to work his way into the clear after being checked and forced wider at the first turn. He may not have the overall speed of some of his rivals, however his box manners should have him prominent early. If he can cross the favourite drawn inside he could change the shape of the whole race. 

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4. SHIMA STAN

Trainer: Tom Dailly

Heat: 29.47

Semi-final: 29.50 (second to Elite Intention)

Has been done no favours with box draws through the series, having drawn the pink in the preliminaries and four for the final. Takes a couple of strides to get into his work and his final split is his best, so if he can get a cart across with the faster dogs beneath him he will be finding the line late.

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5. KIWI HARRY

Trainer: Tom Dailly

Heat: 29.55 

Semi-final: 29.45 (second to Marrakesh)

Finished strongly to win his heat and stuck to the rail well as the field fanned wide at the first turn to finish second in his semi final. Only modest at box rise which will be problematic from this draw, but even with clear running he may not be fast enough to win. 

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6. MARRAKESH

Trainer: Anthony Azzopardi

Heat: 29.59 (second Bebop Jazz)

Semi-final: 29.29

Took full advantage of the inside draw to register an impressive semi-final win. Didn't step as well in her heat but mustered well to sweep around the field to run a solid second in her semi-final. Can do it at both ends of her races, though this draw will be tricky given she tends to want off the track through the first turn. Was placed in the Group 2 Laurels this track in December and looks like she has a good race in her, but will need a lot of luck here.

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7. ELITE INTENTION

Trainer: Tom O'Neill

Heat: 29.57 (second to Kiwi Harry)

Semi-final: 29.47 

Defied the market to win his semi-final in a solid 29.47. Was a similar run in his heat and that might be his best. From this draw, that is unlikely to be enough.

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8. WYONG DALLAS

Trainer: Tom Dailly

Heat: 29.28

Semi-final: 29.28

One of only two undefeated greyhounds in the series courtesy of consecutive 29.28 gallops, overcoming squeeze boxes each time. Placed in all three starts from this draw, and a repeat of his 5.02 first split should have him near the lead though he does press down to the rail, setting up the possibility of some trouble through the first turn. Has the talent.

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The Verdict

Take out DASHING SLAY'S (2) semi final win and there isn't a whole lot between the finalists. That run was simply brilliant and with clear running, she wins. However her middle and final split are her best and there is a lot of early speed and greyhounds that will move in and out early – including the two greyhounds each side of her – so she simply can't afford a mistake early. Box draws and early speed matter in finals so DOONGALLA JESSIE (1) comes into play, especially if there's trouble behind. SHIMA STAN (4) can slot in behind the three greyhounds beneath him and run a drum at a big price.