Distinction Tipped to Dominate Sandgroper Greyhound Race at Cannington
The prestigious Group 1 $600,000 Sandgroper (520m) at Cannington is shaping up as a thrilling contest, with the favorite, Distinction, leading a strong contingent of eastern states contenders. Priced at $2.80, this Victorian greyhound, trained by the renowned Jason Thompson, has captured attention with an impressive winning streak of six consecutive races and 13 victories from 19 starts overall.
Known for her explosive early speed, Distinction has excelled at shorter distances on Victoria's country tracks, making her a formidable threat to seize an early lead. Her connections have demonstrated unwavering confidence in her abilities, boldly entering her in Melbourne's slot race, The Phoenix, late last year after just six career starts.
Eastern Rivals and Defending Champion Pose Significant Challenges
Joining Distinction from the east is Winsome Jet, a New South Wales raider priced at $5.50, who has prior experience at Cannington during last month's Perth Cup series. Winsome Jet boasts Group-level success, having clinched the Queensland Derby in January, and despite some jumping concerns in recent outings, his early sectional speed and favorable draw from the No. 1 alley keep him in contention.
Another key competitor is Deadly Avenger, a Victorian contender valued at $10, who is the defending Sandgroper champion. He set a track record last year with a blistering 29.19-second run, adding to his accolades that include victories in The Phoenix and the Harrison-Dawson, amassing career earnings of $1.8 million. Surprisingly, he was not initially selected for this event, adding an element of intrigue to his participation.
Local Hope Miss Envy Aims for Historic Million-Dollar Milestone
Standing firm against the eastern invasion is the local favorite, Miss Envy, priced at $8. This resilient greyhound recently secured another WA Greyhound of the Year award, placing her among elite company like Hall of Fame chasers Tommy Shelby and Sandi's Me Mum. Despite a setback from a bee sting before the Perth Cup heats in March, which kept her from racing at Cannington this year, she has shown top form with wins in the Group 1 Golden Sands at Queensland's Q2 Parklands and the Group 1 Rookie Rebel at Melbourne's The Meadows.
Although unseen in competition for the past seven weeks, Miss Envy has been trialling well at Cannington and was specifically prepared for this race after securing a slot early. A victory in the Sandgroper would make her only the third WA-trained greyhound to surpass $1 million in prize money, following Tommy Shelby and Elite Machine, highlighting the high stakes of this anticipated event.
