Thursday night at Sandown Park was a card soaked up by fans with some of the sport’s stars having their final hitout before they tackle heats of the Nationals next week.

The well spoken about Free-For-All was won by Mepunga Smokey who defeated some of the sport's biggest names.

He used his wide draw to perfection to hook around early leader Dutch Riot in the closing stages, he went on to win by just over a length in a fast time of 29.23.

That contest was also highlighted by the return of versatile powerhouse Hector Fawley. He finished 6th and while he didn't visually seem to be firing, that can easily be an illusion considering the strength of the greyhounds that were around him.

Just a couple of races later Brisbane Cup winner Flying Zulu maintained his faultless recent form with a comfortable win in first up back in Victoria.

Also on the night last year's Topgun and Adelaide Cup winner Transponder made a solid debut over the middle-distance with a win.

All greyhounds mentioned are expected to be lining up in next Thursday's Victorian sector of the National Sprint. It promises to be an elite set of heats, all likely to be stronger than what the eventual National final will serve up.

The Nationals is made up of a Sprint and Distance division, with series of each run in every state in Australia to determine their representatives in the Group 1 National finals at Angle Park on Saturday August 24.

Recent Group 3 Fireball winner Ella's Babe rounded out her preparation for the Distance heats with a trial at Sandown Park on Friday.

She only did one lap of the track but still set good times and no surprise to anyone an amazing run home section of 10.12.

With her trademark drop-out and run-on racing style she's certain to bring a high level of interest and entertainment into the Victorian Distance heats.

Fields for that highly anticipated card at Sandown Park this Thursday will be published on Monday afternoon.