Recent Melbourne Cup winner Dyna Villa, Darren McDonald’s flying Kicking Rocks and home star Buckle Up Wes head Thursday’s quality-packed Heats for the Group 1 Tattsbet Hobart Thousand (461m).
Eight Heats of the $75,000-to-the-winner race are taking place and feature plenty of eye-catching greyhounds, including in-form Senor Slamma.
The chaser jumps from box eight in the first Heat having won 10 of his last 11 races stretching back to August.
Trainer Gary Johnson believes his sprinter, who has 19 triumphs from 44 starts, can claim another victory here.
“I knew he had the ability,” Johnson said. “He just had to show it.
“This is a bit different class to what he has been facing (but) I’m happy with the draw. He likes the outside and if he jumps in front, he will be hard to stop.”
Dyna Villa underlined her reputation as one of the country’s best sprinters with her recent Melbourne Cup win and looks the pick in Heat two.
WA raider Quartz Bale makes the trip to Hobart and it will be interesting to see how he fares in Heat four.
He has been dominant out west and will be hard to stop if he is at his best here.
Buckle Up Wes (Heat five) is one of the country’s best chasers but has been below-par since his Group 1 Topgun victory in October.
Ted Medhurst’s greyhound is well drawn in box one here, though, and will be hard to stop.
Heat six features an intriguing clash between Kicking Rocks and impressive newcomer Axis Bale.
Kicking Rocks (box eight) has won his last four but Axis Bale looks another potential star from the renowned Paul Wheeler kennel and may have the edge here from box seven.
Johnson combines training with running a farm and abattoir in Leith, north Tasmania.
He has been training for 30 years and is assisTed by wife Robyn, who helps breed, rear and own the couple’s greyhounds.
“If we get a freak greyhound we give them to Ted Medhurst to train,” Johnson said. “I don’ t have time to travel the country – and he’s a better trainer than me.
“The red dog (Hekate Belle) is the danger here but as long as (Senor Slamma) steps out alright, I think he has a chance.”
The final takes place next Thursday.
For Hobart Thursday fields and form, click here.
