Runner By Runner Guide: Group 1 Topgun

BETTING says Saturday's Topgun at The Meadows is a match in two between champion Victorian Wow She's Fast and up and comer NSW star French Martini.

Mick Floyd03 November 2022
BETTING says Saturday's Topgun at The Meadows is a match in two between champion Victorian Wow She's Fast and up and comer NSW star French Martini.

BETTING says Saturday night's Group 1 Topgun at The Meadows is a match in two between champion Victorian Wow She's Fast and up and comer NSW star French Martini.

But what about the prospects of the remainder of the field where the two reserves, Photo Man and Amron Boy, have gained a start following the scratchings of Orchestrate and Good Odds Cash.

FIELDS AND FORM THE MEADOWS SATURDAY NIGHT

1. French Martini, $3

Trainer: Peter Lagogiane

Despite just 19 career starts, French Martini has quickly shot to the upper echelon of the sport's sprinters. She followed her appearance in the Million Dollar Chase final with a track record at The Gardens in a heat of the group 2 Black Top before winning the final a week later. Fine tuned for the Topgun with a  sharp 29.72 trial at the Meadows and the box draw is a big plus, winning all five starts when drawn in the inside half of the draw. Trainer knows how to get them right in a big final too.

2. Zippy Tesla, $6.50

Trainer: Brad Keel

As fast as any in the field but seldom gets to show it due to his slow early sectional. Boasts a 29.60 best at the track – registered in the only race in which he's led from box rise – and did win the Silver Chief this track and distance on New Year's Day. Box 2 is a plus if he can drop to the fence behind French Martini but he will need luck at a crucial stage to fully exploit his devastating finishing burst. Doubtful winning chance but a must for the exotics.

3. McInerney, $9.50

Trainer: Brendan Pursell

The most improved greyhound in the country having placed in his last 12 starts for eight wins including the Tasmanian Sprint Championship, the Million Dollar Chase, and a Melbourne Cup Prelude. His record at The Meadows is modest but many of his starts were early in his career long before hitting his current purple patch. Isn't the most reliable at box rise but the box draw is kind and musters quickly, has an excellent middle section, and is racing in outstanding form. An excellent each way chance at that price.

4. Vice Grip, $15

Trainer: Adam Smithson

Amazingly, the well-travelled son of a Melbourne Cup winner (Aston Dee Bee) out of a Sandown Cup winner (Bells Are Ringin) has missed a place twice in his last 28 starts over the last 12 months, finishing fourth in the National Sprint final and last in the inaugural Phoenix. A winner of the group 2 All-Stars at his last outing, he is well at home at this level but there is some serious class drawn each side of him and will need everything to go right to win this.

5. Wow She's Fast, $2.90

Trainer: Jackie Greenough

There isn't much to say about Wow She's Fast that hasn't already been said. The darling of Australian greyhound racing, her career has been carefully managed with just 21 starts since making her debut 14 months ago and she has barely put a paw wrong. Group 1 wins, slot race wins, match race wins, track records – the only thing missing a major and she gets her chance here. She blew the start in the Adelaide Cup final last time out and found trouble throughout but showed with her 29.19 trial at Sandown on 26/10 that she has taken no ill-effects from the run. Box 5 is never ideal, but with the lack of speed around her she should get the room to muster. She's 3/3 from at the track and 4/5 from the box including a win in the group 1 Sapphire Crown. Clearly the one to beat.

6. Zipping Kyrgios, $12

Trainer: John Finn

A seriously fast greyhound with 16 group race appearances from his 74 starts as well as a second placing in the Million Dollar Chase. His biggest challenge is his lack of speed at box rise which goes someway to explaining why he hasn't been placed in any of his five previous group 1 appearances, including in last year's Topgun. Happy to leave out of the quaddie.

Orchestrate – SCRATCHED

Good Odds Cash – SCRATCHED

Res. Photo Man, $15

Trainer: Gavin Cliffton

Connections are thrilled just to get a start but given the lack of overall speed in the race, he is some chance to be forward at the first turn regardless of which box he steps from. Has made four group finals since June, has solid form against several Topgun finalists (including Wow She's Fast, Zipping Kyrgios and Amron Boy). Hasn't raced since third in the Adelaide Cup but has been trialling well. Not the roughest chance in the race.

Res. Amron Boy, $8.50

Trainer: Brooke Ennis

An extremely talented chaser as shown by his 29.55 win at The Meadows and a 29.07 run at Sandown. Those wins have come when he's timed the start but it happens all too rarely particularly now he's up in grade. On overall speed, he has the ability to win the race but has to get the start right especially from a wide box.

Selections: 3-5-2-1

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