There’s 8,000 reasons why Jason Fredericks wants to make a bit of history in Thursday’s Pop Northfield Memorial Maiden Series Final (411m) at Casino.
Fredericks has exciting unbeaten sprinter She Goes Woosh (both pictured) jumping from box three in the race, aiming for a third consecutive win to start her career.
This is the last feature race before a loam surface is introduced at the Queen Elizabeth Park track, replacing the grass surface of more than 70 years’ standing.
Owner/trainer Fredericks' grandfather Dick won the first ever race at Lismore nearly 80 years ago and his grandson hopes to claim a similarly memorable win.
“I would be over the moon to win,” Fredericks, who works out of the tiny Northern Rivers base of Spring Grove, said.
“This is a big race for the locals. The Northfields have been in the game for a while and they are trying to win this one as well.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
She Goes Woosh she has made an impressive start to her racing career with two wins from two starts, both at Casino.
The promising chaser recorded a solid 23.08 run to win last week’s heats and qualify for the $8000-to-the-winner final, one of the biggest races of the year on the Northern Rivers circuit.
Check out the heat run of She Goes Woosh here.
Fredericks certainly has big plans for his charge and hopes she can maintain her successful progress.
“I’ve got big raps on her,” he said. “I’m looking forward to having some fun with her.
“She usually just goes straight for the corner and I hope she can do the same here.
“She’s has been going ‘woosh’ with her finishes - she is going unreal.
“She needs a bit of luck here but I think she can win.”
Hobby trainer Fredericks, who works as a carpenter, helped his grandfather work his greyhounds and has been training himself for about 15 years.
“I have to work, but I get to play around with the dogs as well,” he said.
“You put a lot of work in with the greyhounds and it’s great when you get the rewards.”
Fastest qualifier Western Dave goes from box one and looks hard to stop, although his Tregeagle owner/trainer Pat Lavis thinks littermate and fellow finalist Mincin’ Machine (box five) is a better prospect.
Ten races are on the card at Casino and action starts at 3.26pm.
For Casino Thursday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
