Cherry the key for Thrift Monelli
David Hobby heads in to this evening’s Essential Aircor Services “The Shorts” Final at Mandurah as the Trainer to beat with a talented three-pronged attack representing his kennel.
Despite having to scratch one of his kennel stars Mermaid Monelli he still has strong claims with Thrift Monelli drawn in one, Chomp Monelli in four and Royce Monelli in box seven.
Thrift Monelli, a winner at 12 of her 32 starts, has only drawn box one once in her career and on that occasion she was successful.
Last week in her heat behind Mermaid Monelli she was slowly away from box five before copping significant checks in the run. Her effort to finish fourth in 22.92 seconds beaten just 3.5 lengths was full of merit.
Only five runs ago she was runner up behind the very talented Star Book over the 520 metres at Cannington in 29.82 and on November 7 she led all the way to defeat Steve Monelli at Cannington in 29.92 seconds.
In both of those recent standout performances Thrift Monelli ran the early split of 5.43 and if she can hit the ground running and come out in similar fashion tonight expect her to be punching the rail and take some stopping.
Chomp Monelli won his heat last week from box eight in 22.75 seconds and has won 5 of his 13 starts over the 405 metres while Royce Monelli is suited by the wide draw and will be flashing home late.
Peter Sutherland is entitled to head in to the feature final with some confidence after his chaser Nice Image ran second behind Mermaid Monelli in the heats.
Nice Image has won 8 of his 15 career starts and is developing in to a more than handy sprinter.
In what is a deep race of smart short coursers Turbo Fun, Bust Or Boom, Stanga Moose and Santa’s Magic all head in with claims with the right sort of run.
In breaking the race down I thought the rails draw was the key for Thrift Monelli to prevail.
With her customary getaway she should be able to hold the fence early and given her strength over the 520 metres she will take some running down from there over the 405 metre trip.
Other nice bets on the program look to be race two number seven Just Send It and race eleven number eight Chevy Gold.
Tommy Shelby will be flying the flag for WA when he competes in a heat of the Melbourne Cup at Sandown this evening (Race 8 at 6.17pm WST).
Tommy had no luck last Saturday night at the Meadows when he was dragged down when looking the likely winner turning for home.
Caretaker Trainer Kel Greenough reported earlier in the week on Greyhound Gossip on TAB Radio that Tommy had pulled up well and would be aiming up in to the Melbourne Cup heats with no excuses.
Tommy will exit box three and runs in to the very strong NSW chaser Zipping Zeek who has drawn perfectly in box one while a favourite of WA Chasing fans Catch The Thief is drawn in box six.
Tommy is currently on the second line of TABtouch fixed odds betting at $3.70 with Zipping Zeek the well backed $2.70 favourite and Catch The Thief on the third line of betting at $4.80.
David Shortte