Exciting Are Jai Que faces the next step in her racing education at Dapto on Thursday night.
The highly promising greyhound goes for her sixth win in nine races in the Greyhounds as Pets Stakes (297m).
Victory at the Illawarra track last week was a fourth in a row for Are Jai Que, who is among a promising litter also containing Senorita Escobar and Here’s Archie.
She has not run further than 400m yet but Clayton thinks she has star potential.
“She was beaten in her first two starts but that was just inexperience,” Clayton said. “Now she is racing like she cannot be beaten.
“She is a true racing dog – she races how she trials.
“I cannot ask for more from her.”
Are Jai Que is the daughter of El Grand Senor, who won 35 races in a notable career, and is showing a similar excellent pedigree.
She clocked 17.01 last week at Dapto and will start from box five this time around.
Southern Highlands-based Clayton is confident of another win here and is hopeful she can step up in distance over the coming months.
“The box doesn’t matter,” he said. “I think the only way she can lose is if she somehow misses the start.
“I expect her win and break 17 seconds.
“I think she can run further than 400m but she is not two until November.
“She’s also big a bitch and I don’t believe in pushing big dogs.
“I don’t think there’s much on the calendar for her over the next month so we’ll take it slowly and see if she can step up.”
Clayton, who turned 47 last months, works on a 100-acre property in Sutton Forest.
He has been training for about 30 years and said greyhound racing was all about working with the right people.
“I might not have the best dogs, but for me it’s about the relationships,” he said.
“If an owner is a decent bloke and has a fair dog, I will do my best for him.
“You build up relationships and friendships through all sport and greyhound racing is no different.
“I don’t treat my dogs like a meal ticket – they only run when they are ready.
“They might not win but they are always capable.”
Others to watch at Dapto include Xtreme Knocka and Evil Punk (pictured, yellow rug), who meet in race seven, and Smashing Sally (race eight).
Ten races are on the card and action starts at 7.29pm.
For Dapto fields, form and expert tips, click here.
