Robert Green likes a challenge and he knows they might not come bigger than the formidable Winsome trio at Maitland on Thursday.
Owner-trainer Green has Lord Licrick jumping from box three in the $8000-to-the-winner Brodie Wells Electrical Future Stars Classic Final (400m).
Lord Licrick is a handy pup himself but the opposition includes Minnie Finn’s Winsome Jacko (box six), who produced a stunning record-breaking 21.98 run on debut in last week’s heats.
With Finn’s fellow impressive littermates Winsome Mission (box five) and box four’s Winsome Bluey also in the final, Green knows his chaser faces a tough test.
“He did well last week but this race is a lot harder,” Green said.
“I didn’t think any dog could beat 22 seconds at Maitland. That was very impressive.
“(Lord Licrick) is a keen, hard-chasing dog. If you look at his run last week he was closer to the rail than the hare.
“He has to lead at the first corner and be on the rail to have a chance here.”
Lord Licrick is a son of Oaks Road, who enjoyed 20 wins in a notable career.
The pup won his heat in 22.51 last week, crossing well from box seven to power clear impressively.
Watch Lord Licrick’s heat win here.
Although Winsome Jacko caught the headlines last week, Green believes Winsome Mission is the bigger threat in the final.
“I think he is the better starter of the three,” Green said. “He looks the best dog and the one to beat.
“(But) this field is very hard and they are all winners.”
This is the first time Green, who works close to the track in Raworth, has had a finalist in the Future Stars.
The retired 65-year-old hobby trainer has had greyhounds for about 40 years and said he enjoyed the thrill of racing.
“I’m a sporty person – I’ve played every sport you can play,” he said. “I loved the challenge of the sport.
“I love greyhounds – they are beautiful animals – and I love racing them.”
Others to watch at Maitland include Beau Hedley’s Avondale Storm (race nine), who has been sidelined since making an explosive debut at the track last month.
Jason Mackay’s Zipping Summah will attempt to bounce back from an unsuccessful crack at the Lismore Cup when he goes in race five.
Zipping Midge ran well in last week’s Future Stars heats and could be a decent bet in race two.
Ten races are on the card at Maitland and action starts at 3.59pm.
For Maitland Thursday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
