Frances Goodwin is trying to keep calm about Oceania">Oceania’s prospects but she admits the promising sprinter has her spirits soaring for Goulburn today.
The unbeaten pup goes for his fifth win from five starts in the first of three Goulburn to Richmond Sprint Series (350m) heats this afternoon.
Oceania will jump from box three on the back of an impressive victory last week at the same track, where he motored round the 350m in a handy 20.06.
Owner/trainer Goodwin said she was finding it hard to keep her feet on the ground with the chaser’s progress.
“I am very excited,” she said. “He did everything right (last week) and ran a beautiful race.
“I’m still a little unsure about him going over the 500m. I think we’ll have to gradually build him up.
“We will take him through these heats and see how he goes.”
Oceania’s win at Goulburn followed three previous victories at Nowra.
The sprinter looks handy jumping from either close to the rail or outside and displayed a notable turn of early pace last week.
He is proving a real star for Goodwin, who works out of the South Coast village of Tomerong.
The 68-year-old retiree only earned her trainer’s licence about four years ago but is enjoying working with a handy litter that includes Oceania.
“He is a beautiful dog,” she said. “He’s very easy-natured and affectionate.
“We bred him and reared him so when you see doing so well it’s such a thrill and very exciting.
“We will see if we are lucky enough to get to Richmond with him and take it from there.”
Oceania’s toughest opponent looks like Hard To Do (box four), an inconsistent but nippy chaser on his day who has won previously at Goulburn.
Goodwin also likes the look of Oceania’s littermate Silent Witness, who goes in the day’s sixth race, the Goulburn GBOTA 0-2 Wins Final (457m).
He jumps from box eight having won well at the track last week and is the fastest greyhound here.
“He is getting better,” Goodwin said. “From what I’ve seen so far I think he will run the 500m.
“We will work him up to the distance and see how he goes.”
Other notables at Goulburn on Tuesday include race five’s Cool Onyx, Death Cloud (race eight) and Spritely Lass in race nine.
Ten races are on the card and action starts at 3.17pm.
For Goulburn fields, form and expert tips, click here.
