Whittaker">Whittaker was the big hope for Bruce and Julie Fletcher in Thursday night’s Group 3 Dean Industrial Dapto Maiden (520m) but their plans have hit a snag.
The novice chaser recorded a flying 29.55 in last week’s semi-finals to underline his promise, but drew an unhelpful box eight for the final.
The Fletchers’ hopes of capturing the $25,000 top prize are still very much alive, though, especially as they have final qualifier Martin Clegg also in contention.
Bruce said the outside box was far from ideal for Whittaker but he still had a chance of winning.
“I was confident before the box draw, but a fair bit of that has gone now,” Fletcher said with a rueful smile.
“The dog in box five (Paua Explosion) is a very good dog. Whittaker will have to get in front of him in the first 50 metres or he will be in trouble.
“He has done everything right on his first two starts. He seems a natural and has a good degree of track sense.
“Hopefully he can find a decent position and still win.”
The Fletchers’ other final hope, Martin Clegg, also has realistic chances of winning what looks a wide-open final.
He improved to win last week’s semi-final in 29.89 and has a decent box three draw.
“We were delighted with how he went last week,” Fletcher said.
“If he jumps well, gets to the front and repeats that time, he has a chance again.
“It’s an exceptionally good final, especially when you look at the calibre of trainers involved like David Pringle and Jason Mackay.
“You don’t just have the dogs to beat – it’s the trainers as well.”
Meanwhile, Pringle is confident his exciting newcomer Master Shot has drawn perfectly on the inside.
Master Shot performed heroically to even reach the final after almost being taken out completely at the start of last week’s semi-final.
“He’s a strong little bugger,” Pringle said with a smile. “He’s recovered well and looks beautiful.
“When I saw the box draw for the final, I said, ‘this is exactly how I wanted it’.
“If Melinda Finn’s dog (Winsome Prince, box six) lands in front it will be hard to stop and Zipping Saxon is also a chance. He seems a slow beginner, though.
"I'm tickled pink with how Master Shot is looking. He has a good chance."
Ten races are on the card at Dapto and action starts at 7.28pm.
For fields, form and expert tips, click here.
