Who Wins Tonight's Group 3 Shootout?

SHOOTOUTS are won by fast greyhounds. That's a given.

After all, the dogs have to fast to even get drawn in the race. All four dogs drawn into the 2019 edition are have consistently proven themselves capable of carving out sensational times, setting the scene for a classic edition of the winner-takes-all race.

So who wins?

Here's a look at why each greyhound can – and can't – win the $25,000 winner's cheque, plus a factoid to share with your friends.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL TONIGHT'S SANDOWN PARK FORM

Box 1 – Whiskey Riot (Anthony Azzopardi)
Best time: 29.255
First split: 5.01

Why he can win – He can lead. Since the installation of the current track surface in 2010, five winners have led all of the way and the other four have been second after box rise. He set his best first split at the track (5.01) when jumping from box 4, so should benefit from wearing the red vest

Why he can't win – History. Not only has no greyhound has won from box 1 since 2009, the last time he met Hooked On Scotch, the later ran him down on the line

Did you know? – Anthony Azzopardi's 2016 Shootout winner Zambora Brockie made the Adelaide Cup and Topgun finals before contesting the Shootout. Whiskey Riot also contested the Adelaide Cup and Topgun.

Box 3 – Hooked On Scotch (Jason Thompson)
Best time: 29.087
First split: 5.06

Why he can win – Aside from being widely acknowledged as the fastest greyhound in the country? That's the only reason we need. He'll start as short favourite, and favourites have won 11 of the last 16 Shootouts

Why he can't win – Box manners. He tends to need a stride or two to hit top speed which can find him in trouble early.

Did you know? The Thompsons have won three Shootouts (Whisky Assassin, Proven Nitro and Aston Dee Bee) from 9 previous starters. They have never drawn a red box in the race.

Box 5 – Good Odds Harada (Frank Hurst)
Best time: First start here

Why he can win – He's a proven on the big stage (he won the Million Dollar Chase) in a time few greyhounds are capable of.

Why he can't win – First start at the track. He's taking on three very fast greyhounds on their home track

Did you know? It's been 19 years since Go Wild Teddy became the first – and only – New South Wales trained greyhound to win a Shootout.

Box 7 – Mepunga Maggie (Jeff Britton)
Best time: 29.262
First split: 5.07

Why she can win – Her Sandown form is outstanding. She has won her last five starts at the track, leading past the post the first time on each occasion with two in the best time, of which her 29.262 best time wasn't one of them

Why she can't win – The box. Not only has no Shootout runner won from box 7 since 2008, but she is winless in six starts from boxes 6, 7 and 8.

Did you know? Xylia Allen is the only female greyhound to win a Shootout, but she did it in emphatic fashion, setting the race record of 29.069.