Greenough Urges Caution With Houdini Boy

KEL Greenough is urging punters to be cautious about taking a short price about Houdini Boy when he lines up in the Maidment Memorial over 595m at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

Houdini Boy is one of the country's most popular greyhounds with his eye-catching drop-out-and-run-home racing style. He hasn't raced since claiming the Sale Cup (650m) on Boxing Day – coming from last to win the state's only provincial group 1 – but did publicly trial 33.49 over 595m after the last race on Sunday 10 January.

That time was 0.14 seconds – or more than two lengths – under Dyna Double One's track record, however Greenough told RSN's Gareth Hall that he will need luck in the Listed feature.

"He's a very clever dog in a field and he knows how to weave inside and outside and he's going to have to do this again tonight because he's not a good box dog," he said.

"He's not quick early but he seems to find the line and work his way through the field. He's going to need a fair bit of luck tonight – there's some really good quality animals in the race – it'll be interesting to see how he lines up."

Houdini Boy has won eight of his 10 starts between 595m and 650m but just one out of three over 700m+. Asked if he thought Houdini Boy was best suited over the middle distances, Greenough disagreed saying that he is very much focused on the upcoming group 1 staying features at The Meadows.

"His preparation for his last two (staying) campaigns have been ordinary. We've had a few hold ups with the dog because he pushes himself so hard, tries so hard, he puts in 100% every time.

"The Bold Trease was the most disappointing run he's put in (he ran third in the final). He was as flat as a tack, but we had to rush to get him there and we didn't get the right preparation into him.

"After Sale we backed off and now he's probably where he needs to be. We're looking forward to those 725m races at the Meadows in February."

Houdini Boy is the $1.85 favourite.

The $21,000 Listed Maidment Memorial (race 8) is one of two feature races at Sandown Park tonight, with the 515m Listed Australian Sprint (race 6).