Malcolm Hoping For A Nice Result

Patience has paid off so far for Malcolm Cuneo with promising sprinter Minnesota Nice and he hopes another new approach will secure a win in Thursday’s feature race at Albion Park.

Cuneo’s consistent chaser jumps from box one in the high-quality Molly Campbell Silver Dollars Final (520m) aiming for a third consecutive victory.

A daughter of Dyna Tron x Isseymiyake, Minnesota Nice has secured five wins and three placings from 13 starts so far and has not finished below second in her last seven starts.

She can be an unpredictable starter but Cuneo is hoping some TLC  in the build-up to the race will pay off.

“The draw will help her if she can start well,” he said.

“In most of her wins she hadn’t even begun. In her last start she came from the back.

“It is strange but at least she is improving her race sense and learning how to race.

“She had three races in nine days so I’ve just tried to freshen her up this week. I’ve kept her on the lead and not done much with her.

“Hopefully that will work.”

Despite her moody starts, Minnesota Nice has already clocked a decent 29.94 for the distance two starts back.

She faces some handy chasers here, with box two’s Dutch Stryker, Tony Brett’s in-form Whata Nice Size (box three) and Reg Kay’s Good Call Paul in box four all dangerous.

“This is her biggest test to date,” Cuneo said.

“This is a very tough race. Tony Brett’s dog is faultless early and if Reg Kay’s dog happens to lob near the front early, he will be hard to stop.

“She is improving (though) and she is on the up.”

Other strong chances at Albion Park Thursday include Stella Nights (race five), Messidonna Cloud in race nine and race ten’s Summer's Bug.

Cuneo, who works out of Yorklea in the NSW Northern Rivers, has been training for more than 40 years.

“It’s something to do,” the 61-year-old said with a smile. “It’s better than working in a factory.

“The best thing for me is the satisfaction you get, both from developing a greyhound and then seeing it win races.

“This is it for me.”

For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.