Andrew Monaghan is eyeing bigger prizes for Sugar">Sugar Gaze but a win at Monday’s twilight Grafton meeting would do for starters.
The solid bitch aims for a 13th win in 29 starts when she starts from box five in the Westlawn Finance Stakes (407m).
Monaghan is targeting the forthcoming Sprinters Cup – part of the Grafton carnival – as a potential target for the dog.
He thinks there should be no reason why she shouldn’t add to her impressive record of eight wins from 12 starts at the track tonight.
“If she begins nice, she will hard to beat,” Monaghan said.
“Grafton is a nice, big track and she likes the firm surface there.
“If she begins like she can it shouldn’t worry her where she starts.
“She always runs well there and has got a good chance.”
The well-travelled bitch has won in Victoria and at tracks across northern New South Wales.
“She won a couple down in Victoria but now and then she would collapse from over-trialling,” he said.
“She can get overly excited and is always raring to go when she hears the lure, but she’s a beautiful dog.
“She’s a speedy bitch and always goes around the 23 seconds mark at Grafton.”
Sugar Gaze will start inside Grafton-based Dora’s Nightmare, who has a solid 13 placings from 18 starts at the track.
Neveah Beach (box three) and box one dog Royal Rowdy could also be strong contenders is what is a decent field.
Monaghan has been training dogs for about 20 years and works alongside wife Sarah.
He said the pair, who have two children and work out Dyraaba, near Lismore, were not as highly charged as in their younger days when it came to the dogs.
“The kids have changed me,” the 42-year-old said. “I’m more laid back now when it comes to the dogs.
“It’s just good to keep trying for that one special dog.
“I like having a beer and a punt with friends. If you can get a winner here and there, that’s great.”
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