Cup Carnival Kicks Off: Farrugia’s Meadows Plays

Punters are treated to one of the year's best nights of greyhound racing on Saturday, with the Sportsbet Australian Cup kickstarting at The Meadows headlined by the Group 1 Temlee and the Group 1 Zoom Top. The card also features eight heats of the Sportsbet Australian Cup, where the top 3 from each will progress to next week's semi-finals and meet all eight Temlee finalists. Tune in to in depth coverage from 6.30pm on the Watchdog App from your respective App store.

Summary of best bets:

Race 2 No 5 Charlestown

Race 6 No 3 Paw Oswald

Race 7 No 1 Vista Weird

Race previews

Race 2

Charlestown (box five) has forged a handy career as a middle-distance runner and despite the box draw he is capable of beginning well and then proving hard to run down. Hey Presto (box four) was impressive in her heat last week and looks the clear danger.

Selections: 5. Charlestown, 4. Hey Presto

Race 4:

Zelda Covilha (box three) is back to his best and his two 600m runs of late will hold him in good stead in this. There’s good early speed drawn all around and that looks the biggest threat, but he will be the one powering home late.

Selections: 3. Zelda Covilha

Race 6:

Paw Oswald (box three) is a top class sprinter who has raced at an elite level most of his career and his record at the track is outstanding. Dramatical (box one) couldn’t have been more impressive when smashing a crack field of speedsters in the Warragul Cup and will make his presence felt.

Selections: 3. Paw Oswald, 1. Dramatical

Race 7:

Vista Weird (box one) has gone to another level in recent months and he handled himself very well in a Queensland campaign recently. If he’s able to hold a forward position early on he looks one of the better bets of the night.

Selections: 1. Vista Weird

Race 8:

Without A Trace (box two) had her colours lowered in the Group 1 Gold Cup in Queensland but we think she can overturn the result and beat Fade To Black (box eight) this Saturday night. Magpie Hector (box seven) is a styer going places and he should get out to some nice each-way odds.

Selections: 2. Without A Trace, 7. Magpie Hector (place)

Race 10:

Canya Mayhem (box one) has been incredible since November where he has raced and beat the best, and the draw here gives him a huge advantage. The value lies with Slick Splits (box four), who is already a two-time G1 winner on the track. Sharapova Star (box eight) is a chance to lead and from there she represents some value

Selections: 1. Canya Mayhem, 4. Slick Splits

George Farrugia – Top Tip Each Race