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Takahashi can cap a highly successful year in style with another victory at Cannington on Saturday night.
The impressive chaser goes head-to-head with fellow stayers Expect A Guess and Ash Flash in a superb-looking $14,500-to-the-winner Greyhounds WA Christmas Gift Final (715m).
Trained by Ben Abercrombie, Takahashi’s strong 2014 has included 16 wins from 25 races.
The sprinter-turned-stayer has won his last four starts at the WA track, although this is a first outing over 715m since May.
It promises to be a ripper of a race, with little to choose between the three leading contenders.
Expect A Guess is absolutely flying, having won six in a row and placed on her last 17 starts.
She looks boxed well here and will be tough to stop if she jumps clear.
Ash Flash is another strong performer from the gun Paul Stuart kennel.
He has a formidable 22 wins from 49 starts but has not raced since November 1 so there are question marks about his stamina against this competition.
Takahashi is the quickest of the trio on his day at this distance and given his recent form he looks to have the edge.
In other action at Cannington, Freeway Ash (race 11) looks the strongest bet of the night.
Look for My Mate Cobber (race six), Gone To Heaven in race seven and race eight’s Vesta to complete the quaddie.
Luba Monelli (race three) is a class performer while Burzynski can take race four.
For Cannington Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
