PUNTERS are assured of getting off to a good start to the new year with some standout greyhounds at the meeting in Launceston tonight.
One of the best bets is Place Your Bet in race five for veteran trainer Ted Devine, of Glenorchy.
Devine, a former thoroughbred trainer, has had his fair share of success since switching codes and only trains a small kennel of greyhounds.
Place Your Bet has been racing against the best sprinters in Tasmania and although having his first race start at Mowbray, looks a class above the field he is facing tonight.
Gerald Mace is bringing the smart Puddle Fish from Sheffield back for the 278-metre dash in race one and should be too smart.
An interesting starter in this race is Glen Abbey Man, which is resuming from a serious injury.
Trained in Victoria by Ray Gilmore, and here on holiday, this greyhound had good form before being injured.
Mackie Slater won brilliantly last start for Scottsdale trainer Richard Hall and he again looks the testing material. Another good chance is Bane in race two.
Trained at Richmond by young trainer Nicholas Howard, he was impressive winning in Hobart on Thursday and from an ideal box draw, he should be very hard to beat.
Hellyeah Reggie, from the Anthony Bullock Kennel at Exeter, should be hard to beat in race eight. She has won here previously and hasn't had any luck at recent starts and looks ideally drawn in this field.
The focus of greyhound racing will be on the Devonport Cup tomorrow with possibly the best field for many years.