Something has got to give in the Westlawn Finance Stakes (411m) at Casino on Thursday – but Gary Clarke is hopeful he will be celebrating.
Clarke’s charge Something Blue, who has racked up a superb ten consecutive placings and won on her last four starts, goes from box one in the race.
Also in the field is Kingsbrae Molly (box three), who has remarkably placed on all 15 outings in her injury-hampered career and has seven straight successes to her name.
Trainer Clarke conceded it would be hard to stop Charlie Northfield’s impressive bitch making it eight in a row, but also likes his greyhound’s chances.
“The box three dog will be hard to stop,” he said. “She has a real good record.
“It will come down to who jumps best and gets to the lead.
“(Something Blue’s) not a brilliant beginner, but once she hits the ground she’s tough to stop.
“She likes to get on the fence and the circular track there at Casino suits her.
“Am I confident? Well, she’s got a chance.”
Something Blue is rapidly building one of the most formidable reputations in bush greyhound racing.
She has 14 wins and seven other placings, including a handful of triumphs at Albion Park, from 24 starts.
The sprinter has won at various distances from 395m to 484m and has only failed to place twice so far in 2014.
“I reckon 484m is her best distance,” Clarke, who trains the dog on behalf of owner Gary Constable, said. “That’s what I’ll aim her for as she gets older.
“She’s won a final at Casino (and) I’ll probably aim her for the Casino Cup in September.
“She’s a terrific little dog and if the owner doesn’t breed from her, I will.”
Next year will mark 40 years of training for Clarke, who works out of the picturesque Northern Rivers town of Kyogle.
The 67-year-old former car salesman was introduced to greyhounds by a family of customers.
“I used to sell cars to them, so I bought a greyhound of theirs,” Clarke said.
“I had eight wins with that first one and it went from there.
“You meet good people and get a lot of satisfaction out of training winners.
“I don’ t celebrate too madly – I’m too old for that I reckon - but I still get a buzz out of it now.”
The race is the seventh of ten on the card at Casino, with action under way at 3.45pm.
For fields, form and expert tips, click here.
