Big guns aim high for Shootout

LEADING Cranbourne greyhound trainer Darren McDonald has a great chance of adding a second Group 2 Shootout trophy to his burgeoning silverware cabinet tonight (Thursday).
McDonald, who won the race in track record time with Bond in 2005, prepares two of the four elite sprinters invited to run in the $75,000 race with Cool Effort starting from box 1 and kennelmate Shanlyn Prince to jump from box 5.
Despite a disappointing fourth in the Group 1 Sapphire Crown last week, Miss Hot Gossip, trained by fellow Cranbourne mentor Jason Thompson secured a berth in the field after her earlier devastating Group 1 Laurels win in 29.63 seconds.
Joining the trio in the $70,000-to-the-winner final will be reigning Melbourne Cup holder Betty’s Angel for Paul Bartolo.
One Tree Hill and Tasman Queen will be the reserve runners, completing a stellar field for the event.
The quartet of canine gunslingers has combined for 12 Group race wins and more than $780,000 prize money.
The field for the $75,000 Group 2 Radio Sport 927 Shootout over 515m is box 1 Cool Effort (Darren McDonald), box 2 vacant, box 3 Miss Hot Gossip (Jason Thompson), box 4 vacant, box 5 Shanlyn Prince (Darren McDonald), box 6 vacant, box 7 Betty’s Angel (Paul Bartolo), box 8 vacant, first reserve One Tree Hill (Rob Britton), second reserve Tasman Queen (Rob Britton).