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No-one is looking forward to this Saturday night’s Group 1 Ladbrokes Vic Peters Classic more than Carole Eaton.
Trainer Eaton has exciting sprinter La Grand Logie jumping from box two in the $75,000-to-the-winner race, a first Group final for the newcomer.
It is also a first Group final for Eaton, who works alongside husband Jeffrey and has only been training for about two years.
Her trainer father George Singline won the same race back in the 1970s with maiden winner and Eaton is excited about potentially emulating that feat.
“He is an amazing greyhound,” Eaton said.
“Even when he misses the kick, his early speed is fantastic.
“I know he is only young and giving away a few months to the rest (but) I think he can do it.”
La Grand Logie, a son of notable sire El Grand Senor and Oh Em Gee, announced his potential with a strong 22.39 performance trial over 400m at Maitland in August.
The sprinter has won five of his first eight races, including a success on his Wentworth Park debut over 520m earlier this month.
“My husband said he would be good enough to go in the Vic Peters,” Eaton said.
“I wasn’t so sure but we just had a good feeling.
“We’ve been offered decent money for him already but I’m thinking, ‘Why should they have all the fun with him’."
La Grand Logie has qualified after two solid third place finishes in the heats and semi-finals, including a 29.97 run last Saturday night.
He is as unfancied $21 with Ladbrokes ahead of the race but Eaton isn't writing him off.
“I thought he did an amazing job last Saturday considering how wet the track was in places,” she said.
“The box draw is a big thing in these big finals. He is a mad railer and I think he is has more in his tank.
“When he hits the ground he is a flying machine.”
Eaton’s “inspirational” parents , George and Joan, helped introduce her to the sport and she comes from a family of greyhound lovers.
Also among the tribe are Eaton’s sisters Lorraine Atchison and Noelene Holloway, both notable trainers in their own right.
Eaton and her husband, who works out of Jilliby on the NSW Central Coast, have four children and a foster child and should have more support than most come race night.
“All my kids are coming down to support us on Saturday night,” Eaton said. “Let’s hope he can live up to expectation.
“I am more than confident he can have a go at this one.”
Anything Less (pictured) is the early race favourite to take out the Vic Peters Classic, having won both his heat and semi final in dominant fashion.
Group 1 Ladbrokes Vic Peters Classic box draw (Ladbrokes prices in brackets): 1. Frattini ($4.80); 2. La Grand Logie ($21); 3. Anything Less ($3); 4. All Strung Out ($4); 5. Lucy Lobster ($8); 6. Jewel Action ($8); 7. Cosmic Angel ($9); 8. Xtreme Knocka ($11). Res: Lady Livingstone, Are Jip.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
