Lady Ronray is nudging “perfection” for Ray Steele and he hopes she can add another triumph to her superb record at Maitland on Thursday.
The exciting greyhound aims for an eighth win in her opening nine starts when she goes from box eight in the third of four Betfair Blue Paws Super Series (450m) heats.
This will be a first competitive start from the outside box for Lady Ronray but with her record and two previous triumphs at the Hunter track, it should not cause her too many fears.
Steele, who has been training for more than 40 years, is keeping his fingers crossed that there are more good times ahead.
“She’s almost what you’d call the perfect dog,” he said. “The good ones usually are.
“She’s a pretty strong dog. She has got good early speed and race manners.
“It’s terrific she’s done so well but I just hope I don’t get disappointed.”
Lady Ronray went close to the 400m track records at Maitland and Bulli earlier this year and also recorded consecutive triumphs at Wentworth Park over 520m.
She is ineligible for the forthcoming Group 3 Puppy Classic at Nowra but Steele said he would look at possible races interstate if she continues her winning ways.
The 66-year-old has had plenty of good greyhounds in his time, including the 2009 Puppy Classic winner Tian Hao Lee, but Lady Ronray may prove to be the best.
“I’ve had other dogs start well, but to win seven out of the first eight is pretty good,” Steele said.
“She’s done very well and it’s great to think she may be ‘the one’, but gee whizz she has ‘only’ been going around in fifth grade.
“When she steps up and beats the better class of dogs, then I’ll start getting excited.”
The Blue Paws final at Maitland is next week.
Another greyhound to watch at Maitland on Thursday is Natural Player, who goes in the fourth race.
His secured a fifth consecutive win at Goulburn last week to make it 22 successes from 32 outings and he has a superb record in one-turn races.
Natural Player goes in a decent field including Topper Harley, a solid performer on his day.
Other notables at Maitland include promising Grand Egyptian in the fourth race, in-form Wild Serenade (race five) and Topper Road in the eighth race.
Ten races are on the card and action starts at 3.59pm.
For Maitland fields, form and expert tips, click here.
