By DAVID NAGEL
DEVON Meadows master-trainer Darren McDonald looks set for one of the biggest nights in an already glittering career when Sandown Park explodes to life this Friday.
McDonald has short-priced favourites in two feature Group 1s, with Keybow drawing box one in the $600,000 TAB Melbourne Cup (515m) and star stayer Sweet It Is a red-hot commodity in the $145,000 Solo Bold Trease (715m).
McDonald- who has also qualified Awesome Project for the world’s richest greyhound race- is aiming for a fourth win in the cup after saluting with Hallucinate (2004), Shanlyn Prince (2007) and Surgeon in 2007.
He has Keybow cherry-ripe for an assault on a second Group 1, and the title of record prizemoney winner, with a win taking his tally to $763,635.
“He’s in the right form at the right time,” McDonald said after Keybow’s heat win.
“He’s been my pick all the way through – the other dogs have gone well, but he’s really peaked at the right time. His whole campaign has been built towards this race. He’s at peak fitness – I’d love to be as fit as him!”
RACE 8 – 9.24pm – $600,000 GROUP 1 TAB MELBOURNE CUP (515m)
Box Greyhound Trainer Heat time Price
1. Keybow (Darren McDonald) 29.36 $2.45fav
2. Chica Destacada (Doreen Drynan) 29.22 $7
3. Above All (Rob Britton) 29.38 $4.40
4. Awesome Project (Darren McDonald) 29.39 $10
5. Cosmic Wise (Jeff Britton) 29.40 $41
6. Star Recall (Jeff Britton) 29.34 $10
7. Luca Neveelk (Gerald Kleeven) 29.42 $16
8. Dyna Villa (Jenny Hunt) 29.21 $4.40
Reserves
9. Cawbourne Whip (Anthony Azzopardi)
10. My Bro Fabio (Brooke Ennis)
RACE 6 – 8.38pm – $145,000 GROUP 1 SOLO BOLD TREASE (715m)
Box Greyhound Trainer Heat time Price
1. Beks (Patrick Bouchier) 42.04 $23
2. Zipping Maggie (Peter Dapiran) 42.04 $14
3. Sweet It Is (Darren McDonald) 41.94 $2fav
4. Space Star (Robert Britton) 41.65 $4.20
5. Reap The Benefit (Michael Chilcott) 42.81 $151
6. Mystic Twist (Mark Cauchi) 42.06 $35
7. Coulta Rock (David Curtain) 42.75 $18
8. Blinker’s On (Brooke Ennis) 42.18 $2.70
Reserves
9. Dyna Kayla (Andrea Dailly)
10. Manila Express (Captain Abbott)
