When Jason MACKAY declares this year's Group 2 Black Top Final (515m) to be probably "the best ever", you know it should be a cracker.
The gun trainer is preparing two hopefuls for this Friday's $40,000-to-the-winner race, with Zipping Willow the clear favourite.
It may not be plain sailing at Unibet Gardens for the formidable sprinter, though, with the likes of Push It and Rose of Galo capable of challenging.
MACKAY himself is leaving nothing to chance and believes it's a wide open field.
"I wouldn't say it's just about stopping Zipping Willow," he said. "I think it's the best Black Top ever.
"There's nothing between the whole eight of them."
Zipping Willow dominated her heat last friday in soggy conditions to win in 29.44, .01 slower than fastest qualifier Miner's Moss.
That made it a remarkable nine straight wins for this year's Group 3 Evans and Son Jewellers Ladies Bracelet Final winner, who now has 28 wins from 40 starts.
She has box five for the final but that may not be too probelmatic as she won from there over 520m at Wentworth Park recently.
MACKAY's other hopeful, Zipping Summah, starts from box four and is another great chance.
Last week's 29.49 heat victory made it four wins from six visits to Unibet Gardens for the sprinter.
"There was not a lot between any of the greyhounds in those heats," MACKAY said. "I think the box draw will play a big part (in what happens).
Miner's Moss raced impressively last week but has drawn a very unhelpful box seven for the final.
Hersi (box two) is usually dangerous, while box three's Alan's Kidz is coming off the back of a fine spell at wetnworth Park.
Cloud Ten (box six) and Rose of Galo, on the outside, are also capable of threatening.
Push It drew the inside and trainer Dean Swain said his charge can win.
“Zipping Willow is a champion bitch and obviously she will be tough to stop,” Swain said.
“My dog isn’t as good as her, but if she (Push It) jumps and leads she will be hard to beat."
The Black Top Final goes at 9.40pm and is one of ten races on the card at Unibet Gardens.
This Friday's finals night is the first stop of the new Thank Dog It's Friday series.
The series aims to showcase the best racing at regional NSW tracks across NSW.
It also offers great prizes for racegoers, including the chance to win VIP tickets for the Doghouse marquee at each event.
For more information on the Thank Dog it's Friday series, click here.
For Unibet Gardens fields, form and expert tips, click here.
