Rocky to roll

STAR stayer Rocky burst back to form in last week’s Victorian heats of the National Distance Championship and will be hard to beat in tonight’s (Thursday’s) final at Sandown Park.
Rocky’s victory, in a slick time of 42.59 seconds, was his first win in nine months and broke a run of 21 outs.
The greyhound returned to his brilliant best after beginning moderately from box five and settling just off the pace as Turbo Uno established a healthy lead.
Coming off the back straight, Rocky reeled in the leader and powered to the line 1.25 lengths clear of fast finishing veteran Springvale Jinx, with Turbo Uno a further 1.75 lengths away third.
It was a welcome return to form for Stephen McKenna’s stayer, who suffered a career threatening injury while competing in the G3 Interstate Challenge in Perth during March.
Race favourite Valley Girl struggled for running room but did enough to earn a berth in the final.
The fastest heat winner of the night was the consistent Mid City Mandy, which won her sixth race on end with an all the way victory in 42.50.
Mid City Mandy, who held out Rocky by quarter of a length to claim the G3 AWM Electrical Distance Championship at The Meadows at her last start, had too much early speed and established a healthy break over her rivals.
Her chances in the final received a boost after drawing the favoured box eight tonight.