Sweet It Is may again face a challenging box draw in the Group 3 Schweppes Summer Cup Final (720m) but trainer Darren McDonald is still confident of success.
Australia’s best stayer (pictured with McDonald) jumps from box two in Saturday night’s final at Wentworth Park Aiming to add another prestigious title to her fantastic career.
She will start at prohibitive odds after burning up the track in last week’s heats, winning by more than 13 lengths and just missing out on a track record.
Sweet It Is is usually prefers the outside draw but McDonald said box two should hold no fears.
"It's not too much of a concern as she isn’t the best beginner," he said.
"All I can hope for is that she isn’t held up in the pack at the first turn.
"Boxes are never really an issue for her in any race she competes in."
Sweet It Is, who has won five Group races this year, blitzed her heat in 41.55, just 0.02 seconds outside Xylia Allen’s track record.
Click here to watch a replay of the heat win for Sweet It Is.
McDonald thinks Zipping Maggie (box eight), who defeated Sweet It Is at Wentworth Park in the Chairman’s Cup Final earlier this year, is the biggest threat to his charge.
Win lose or draw, greyhound racing fans seem certain to see plenty more of Sweet It Is.
"I don’t have any retirement plans in place for her yet," McDonald said. "She is going great guns at the moment.
"If she comes on season the thought may cross my mind to breed but I will leave it for the time being and worry about it when it happens."
Meanwhile, McDonald described Keybow">Keybow's win in the Group 1 Brisbane Cup (520m) at Albion Park as a "fantastic effort".
The $2.30 favourite produced a superb finish to claim the $75,000 top prize in Thursday night’s race and make it six Group 1 wins this year for McDonald.
The trainer said Keybow would now likely return to Victoria for the Group 2 Cranbourne Cup heats on December 29, with January’s Group 1 Paws of Thunder at Wentworth Park also possible.
"The way he chased through the pack was unbelievable," McDonald said. "It's a major credit to the dog.
"He is not three until Christmas Day so there is still a bit of stamina in him yet."
Click here to watch a replay of Keybow’s victory.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
