Paua to Roar has had to play second fiddle to star kennelmate Tommy Brislane but now he is getting the chance to shine.
Steve White's highly promising chaser aims for a sixth straight win when he goes from box two in the South Coast Challenge Sprint (520m) heats at Nowra today.
After enduring illness, the exciting sprinter is starting to come good and looks a strong contender to earn a place in this Friday's Challenge final at Dapto.
Nowra trainer White said a low-key approach was paying dividends with Paua to Roar.
"I've kept him out of the limelight and ran him through the grades at Nowra and Wentworth Park," he said.
"He had the tonsillitis and I wanted to make sure it had cleared up, so I kept him out of the higher races.
"There's not much between him and Tommy Brislane. They are both good young dogs.
"Tommy Brislane has made that step of making Group final and running fast times at Wentworth Park. We’ll see if Paua to Roar can do the same."
Paua to Roar certainly looks a like a class dog, having win seven of his first 10 starts.
He flew round Nowra in 29.93 on his only previous appearance at the track and looks head and shoulders above this field, although he keeps White on his toes when racing.
"He isn't the best box dog," White said. "He is a bit tardy, but once he hits the ground he has an abundance of pace.
"If he doesn't win I will probably take him to Wentworth Park this Saturday."
Meanwhile, White said is delighted with the box draw for Tommy Brislane (pictured) in this Friday's Sportingbet Dapto Megastar (520m).
The formidable sprinter received an automatic seed into the $75,000-to-the-winner final after a superb 12 months, including compiling nine wins from his first 13 starts.
Tommy Brislane has not run since clocking 29.76 over the 520m at Wentworth Park back on August 9 but White believes his charge will be in fine nick for the race.
"We've finally got a bit of luck with the draw," he said. "I'm really happy with that.
"I did exactly the same after the Peter Mosman, I gave him two week off after that and he ran 29.51 at Wentworth Park next up.
"I think Shoulders in box one is the dog to beat but if Tommy Brislane can come and lead he has chance."
Others to look out for at Nowra include Phil Goodsell's debutant Stilton Lucky (race two), a son of prolific Cosmic Rumble.
Ten races are on the card at Nowra and action starts at 2.57pm.
For Nowra Monday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
