Shoulders Clocked 29.49 when he won at Dapto in March but trainer Anthony Azzopardi says the dog is “going a lot better now’’ in preparation for Friday night’s Sportingbet Megastar Prelude.
That’s massive praise considering Double Twist’s track record stands at 29.44. Ironically, Anthony had rated Shoulders’ kennelmate Kulu Special, the first reserve, as the main danger, but that greyhound will not get a run with the starters now confirmed.
“Kulu Special is absolutely flying and won in 29.70 at Dapto on August 7 before clocking 29.57 at Wentworth Park last Saturday night,’’ he said.
“Kulu Special is particularly strong at the finish and ran home in 11.56 on Saturday while Shoulders had run near record splits of 5.38 and 13.67 when he won in 29.36 at Wentworth Park a week earlier.’’
Stilton Blue has not raced since July but trainer Phil Goodsell says the dog is raring to go for his assignment from box six in the Prelude.
“Box six won’t worry him because he is used to bad draws,’’ Goodsell said.
“He has had box six three times for three wins and has even won four of nine starts from four and three from five out of box five.
“After Stilton Blue came back from Melbourne in July he needed a few weeks off because he had never had a spell.
“He is trialling as well as ever bur whatever he does in the Prelude he should improve upon if he gets through to next week’s Megastar.’’
My Awesome Opal (pictured), who, like Stilton Blue was a Peter Mosman Classic finalist at Wentworth Park in June, will go into the Prelude without a trial or race on the track.
But Ross Burton, whose wife Marie trains the dog, says that won’t be a factor.
“My Awesome Opal ran a good third in a heat of the Black Top at The Gardens on August 22 without having seen the track,’’ Ross said.
“His chances depend on whether he can get to the lead.
“My Awesome Opal has good pace and is a very smart dog on the bunny but he can’t come from behind and beat this field.’’
Tonight's meeting at Dapto second leg of the exciting new Thank Dog It's Friday series, which showcases the best greyhound racing in regional NSW in a primetime Friday night slot.
Derenger, who pushed Wentworth Park winner Bearded Midget out of the way at the first turn before winning at Dapto last week, looks Friday night’s safest bet.
The Christine Oldfield-trained speedster was stepping up from 400m and 450m racing to 520m last Thursday but coped with the increase in distance with ease.
She went to the line strongly to win easily in a slick 30.18 and meets similar class on Friday night.
The small field of seven and ideal box eight draw make King Cobber Friday night’s best value wager.
King Cobber rattled home to win over 520m at Wentworth Park in a nippy 30.10 on August 22 but is better suited over the 600m of Dapto’s United Technology Service Stakes.
He has won two of his three races from box eight and is a proven middle distance performer, having won over 618m at Richmond in near record times of 35.51 and 35.60.
Best Bet: Derenger (Race 6)
Best Value: King Cobber (Race 10)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 4, 6, 9
Race 6 – 3, 8, 7
Race 7 – 2, 3, 1
Race 8 – 5, 8
$20 for 37.03%
