La Mascara faces a tough challenge in Saturday’s Globe Memorial Maiden Series Final (535m) at Richmond but win or lose she could be a future star.
That is the verdict from trainer Peter Lagogiane ahead of the $15,000-to-winner race, which features eight of the most promising pups around.
La Mascara was a very impressive heat winner on debut but has drawn unfavourably in box five and has been troubled by injury problems in her early racing career.
Lagogiane is not confident about his charge’s chances for this race but reckons she is one to watch.
“She is all class,” he said. “I think she is one of the best to come through our kennels.
“With the box draw I’m not so confident about this race but I’m confident she is a star greyhound.
“I think she has a lot of star quality about her.”
La Mascara’s progress has been hampered by metacarpal problems but she is certainly showing some promising signs.
She produced a strong 30.91 run to win last week’s heat after jumping from box three.
Check out La Mascara’s heat run here.
The promising pup’s time was second behind Radwanska, who will jump from box three after motoring round in 30.72 last week.
La Mascara is the daughter of sire Magic Sprite, who won ten of 11 starts in a brief but spectacular career.
Western Sydney-based Lagogiane said it had been a tough process to get his chaser to the track.
“The boys at Glengarry did a great job breaking her in,” Lagogiane said. “She hasn’t had the perfect preparation for this series but she has done well.
“She also knows this track well, although I think so does half the field.”
Lagogiane said he also had extra motivation to win the race.
“It’s a first-time owner and I know he’s really excited about the race,” he said.
“He’s a young bloke and I really want to win for him. We need these younger people coming into the sport.
“Funnily enough, we seem to have had a bit of success with the first-time owners as well.”
Lagogiane picked out Bent Ability (box four) and Sweet Runner, who starts from box six, as the big dangers.
“It’s going to be tough,” he said. “La Mascara has pace immediately inside and outside her, so she will have to do everything right.
“I’m maybe not so confident for this race, but I do think she will be a good greyhound.”
For Richmond Saturday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
