STAR sprinters Rejuvenate and Unleash Collinda will meet in a mouthwatering conclusion to the Pink Diamond series at Warragul on Friday night.
In a promoter’s dream, the two have drawn next to each other in the Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter final, one of three events that carries $110,000 in prize money.
FIELDS AND FORM WARRAGUL FRIDAY NIGHT
The night features 12 finals over showcasing racing over all three distances and greyhounds at every stage of their career. With almost $1.2m in prize money up for grabs, the Pink Diamond is the country’s richest regional series.
Here’s a look at the dogs to beat in the three main events.
Race 6: Pink Diamond Champion Distance Final (680m)
The favourite: Hector Frawley (box 6), $3.10
Won the group 3 Race Callers Showdown over 595m in a slick 33.87 before finding trouble in Brisbane at his next start. Showed brilliant dash to win his heat over 650m at Shepparton. This is his first go over this sort of ground so may get tired late, but he might be so far in front it may not matter.
The danger: Your Colour Room (box 4), $4.40
Made it three from three over 650m+ with a heat win you have to see to appreciate just how good it was. Is a star on the rise and is already a winner this track and distance.
You are going great
YOUR COLOUR ROOM was only three lengths off the Shepparton 650-metre track record set by MANILA KNIGHT in November 2020.
YOUR COLOUR ROOM improved his record to nine wins and six minor placings from 20 starts.#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/AKPZVQoItr
— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) May 15, 2023
The one you can’t forget about: Untapped (box 5), $5.50
The veteran now racing almost as well as she was when she won the Sandown Cup in 2022. Came from nowhere to win her heat at Ballarat. Has an experience edge over most in the field, just needs an ounce of luck.
Race 8: Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter Final (460m)
The favourite: Rejuvenate (box 3), $2.70
One of the fastest greyhounds on the provincial circuit with 15 of his 18 wins coming in the best time of the night. Interestingly, his heat win was not one of them – a modest start and early squeeze from box six costing time but showcasing his brilliance and ability to do it at both ends of his racing. He’s finished in the first two 21 times in his 23 race career, with one of his unplaced runs in the group 1 Silver Chief behind kennel mate Amron Boy.
The danger: Unleash Collinda (box 4), $3
Qualified for the final by winning his fifth straight race (and 16th consecutive finish in the money), winning his Shepparton heat in 25.09. Holds three track records over the shorts so there’s no doubting his speed but is yet to add black type to his name despite reaching four finals.
🔥🔥 NEW TRACK RECORD 🔥🔥
UNLEASH COLLINDA (21.995 seconds) has broken the Geelong 400-metre track record in his 25th victory from 40 starts.
ASTON BOLERO (22.01 seconds) set the previous 400-metre time standard on August 26, 2016.#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/9Q68vzkih2
— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) May 27, 2023
The one you can’t forget about: Paddy Wants Pats (box 1), $6
Rising four years old, Paddy Wants Pats reminded punters why he was considered one of the country’s top sprinters when at the top of his game with a 25.16 win in his Ballarat heat win. Once went 36 starts – over almost 18 months – without drawing box 1 and get his chance to cash in here.
Race 10: Pink Diamond Champion Short Course (400m)
The favourites: Silver Brute (box 3) and Action Girl (box 4), $2.90
No surprise the bookmakers can’t split the two littermates. Boasting similar career records, both boast outstanding winning records courtesy of their brilliant early speed. Silver Brute won through with a comfortable BON win at Ballarat, Action Girl a similarly convincing BON win at Geelong. Both have won in impressive fashion previously this track and distance. Trainer, owner and breeder Gary Peach looks to have a mortgage on a series built for greyhounds like these.
Shining bright 💎
HECTOR FAWLEY, UNLEASH COLLINDA and SILVER BRUTE were among the stars that won @sportsbetcomau #PinkDiamond heats on Thursday.
Check out some of the other impressive winners from Shepparton and Ballarat. ⬇️#GreyhoundRacing pic.twitter.com/Ij6Eay2Ybl
— WatchDog Racing (@WatchDogRacing) June 9, 2023
The danger: Matt’s Hope (box 8), $5.50
Remarkably, Matt’s Hope has started more than 25% of his 71 career starts from box 8 which suits connections just fine – he’s won 10 times wearing the pink vest. Ran second to Silver Brute in his heat but arguably would have finished closed if not for being run off the track turning for home. Has won both starts this track and distance in good time, both from inside draws.
The one you can’t forget about: Compliance (box 7), $10
Was first up in almost three months when second to Action Girl in his heat. Will be fitter for that run, has won at group 2 level (Ballarat Cup) and finished second in a group 1 (Silver Bullet), has placed in four of five starts from the box and has won three of four starts at Warragul (three of those starts over 460m).