John ‘Bunny’ Brasch previews Thursday night’s Albion Park greyhound meeting

This is a great night of racing with the spotlight of the Golden Greys Summer Carnival squarely on Queensland-bred greyhounds.

This is a very good initiative by the Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club and Racing Queensland and it gives all grades and all classes a bite at Thursday night prizemoney.

The nine Qgold finals will also showcase some of the emerging talent that may figure prominently throughout the carnival at higher group level.

Here are my thoughts:

Race one: We will go with (2) Comical Cyndie. It disappointed off Box 8 at Albion Park in the heat of the maiden novice last week when showed a lot of speed, but dropped out over the final section. That was its first go over 520m and deserves another chance. Other threats (1) Amendola, (8) Black Monaro, (4) Dam Slipperier and (3) Jerry.

Race 2: This is the first of the Qgold finals and is for the Rookies. I will stick with the (6) Smoking Sam, who has three wins from eight starts and all those wins have been over the 520m at Albion Park. With the best time of 30.00 it should be good enough to take out this event. This dog is out of Ray and Mary Burman’s great producing line of Champagne Sally. Other chances (1) Bear’s Bullet, (3) Morse Code and (8) Fancy A Scotch.

Race 3: This is the veteran’s final and I have (2) Hopeful Bella, who is suited here, on top. She ran second last week behind Morton’s Jilliby and found the line strongly. Other chances are (7) Dreamy Dan, (6) Night Capers and (3) Morton’s Jilliby.

Race 4: This is the Emerging Stayers. I will put (6) Emerald Eyes as the top tip. It disappointed behind Days Of Thunder on Monday night, but is too good to dismiss on recent form. Other chances are (1) Buckeye Bullet, (3) Blue Hornet and (8) Cool Hand Steve.

Race 5: The Qgold Mixed Grade Final. (8) Hello Mike is in sparkling form for the Elson kennel at the moment and can win from inside or outside boxes, but I note it is yet to win out of Box 8. Is racing in career-best form, so easy to stick with. Others are (1) Springtime Son, (5) Emerald Dragon and (2) Adulate.

Race 6: There are many chances in this tough race for emerging sprinters. I have settled on (1) Hidden Agenda, although it has zero from three from Box 1. Likely to get back in the field and likes to rail. It will be very hard to beat on recent efforts as it is going for four on end. It will be charging home. The next (5) All Natural, (7) Atomic Bill and (3) Cash Master.

Race 7: This is a certainly a tough race. I have the winner as (5) Pocket Money – one of three runners for Ned Snow. It ran second behind Captain Bizarre last week in the heats. Has recently returned from a Victorian campaign and is sure to be prominent. Then, in no particular order, (3) Pebble’s Girl, (4) Milligan, (6) Come On Aussie, (7) Captain Bizarre and (8) Oh Oh Range. In fact, you could throw every starter in as the winner. Milligan is in for a busy week having won a place in the final on Sunday of the Capalaba Anniversary Cup.

Race 8: Another very classy field and very tough to find the winner. I will put (3) Shipwreck on top. It was fourth in the Queensland Flame last week and showed speed, but just couldn’t get across from a wide alley, but was thereabouts. Being closer to the rails will help. Others with a big chance, (8) De Ferran, who had no luck last week, (7) Springtime Jet, and (2) Hara’s Herbie. But wouldn’t surprise at any of these numbers coming up.

Race 9: This is the Qgold Bolt over 395m and no doubt they will go quicker than Usain. I will go with the old sprinting warhorse (8) Hopeful Bill, who ran his second fastest time over the 395m just three starts ago (start number 65), so is still racing well. (6) Hopeful Hope is looking for a hat-trick of wins and will be up on the speed as well as the (5) Arabian Again, going for five in a row. Other chances are (2) Mr. Tim Mcgee and (3) Cincinnati Hope.

Race 10: The Blitz over 331 metres. I have (4) Special Was It on top. It was the fastest heat winner out of Box 1 on Sunday night and has won eight out of 11. It looks very hard to beat. Next best, (3)  Hope Sure Can, (1) Times Three, and (6) Zip Stream.

Race 11: The results here will depend on whether the (10) Celebrity Aisha gets a start in this race. If it gets a start, it will be very hard to beat. It did a steward’s trial at Ipswich last Saturday night and ran a brilliant 30.28. I would have her on top if she gets a start. Other chances are (5) Cincinnati Lana, (3) Sauve Ripple, (8) Fearghal Monelli and (6) Gold Fillings.

Race 12: I have (5) Dashing Display on the top. Its Northern Rivers form of late has been very good and has won here at Albion Park over this journey in 30.47 and will be very competitive. Other chances are (1) Mystic Cora, (6) Drink Long Necks, (4) Fernando Travis and (7) Suzie’s Face.