He is the battle-hardened veteran whose racing days were thought to be finished – but Gotta Problem now has a chance of taking on the country’s best stayers.
The 102-race campaigner will line up from box two in the first of two NSW AGRA National Distance Championship (720m) heats at Wentworth Park this Saturday night.
Gotta Problem looked like a potential Group star after winning five of his first eight races, before his progress was hampered by a bad fall.
He had a solid but unspectacular eight-month stint in WA during 2012-13 before heading into what seemed permanent retirement.
“I let him run in our paddock and he seemed to say, ‘I want to be able to run again’,” Goulburn trainer Denice Warren said.
“I took him down the practise track and he absolutely flew, so I thought we will put him back in racing.
“I just thought I had to give him and the owners an opportunity to go around in a race like this.”
Gotta Problem, who has 17 wins and 36 placings to his name, has a race best 42.18 for the distance.
He will likely face strong opposition from Cosmic Rosie, who has run 42.33 over 720m at the Glebe track.
“He is a gorgeous animal,” Warren said. “He is one of my favourites because of his disposition.
“I honestly think if he comes out well and doesn’t get crowded, he is capable of winning a Wentworth Park race.”
Warren said she has higher hopes for her charge Dusty Moonshine, who goes from box five in the first of the two Distance heats.
The promising campaigner, who has eight wins and three placings from 14 starts, faces a tough field including Noelene Holloway’s Queen Marina and flying Cyclone Simone.
“When she started at Richmond, her ‘come home’ times showed that she was a stayer,” Warren said.
“I’m over the moon with her performances. Now it’s whether she can make the next level.
“I’m not saying she could compete with top greyhounds like Xylia Allen, but if she can run the times she has been getting, I think she’ll be competitive here.”
Wentworth Park hosts two Distance heats and two Sprint heats over 520m this Saturday.
State finals take place next Saturday, with the Group 1 National 530m and 715m races taking place at WA’s Cannington track on Saturday, August 23.
For Wentworth Park fields, form and expert tips, click here.
