Team Dailly have nominated Spring Leaf as their best chance to win the Group 1 Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
The Daillys, headed by official trainer Andrea Dailly, have three finalists in the $100,000-to-the-winner feature race including Spring Leaf (box 3), Kerrigan Bale (box 2) and Maximum Lil (box 7).
Kennel spokesman Tom Dailly said based on the heat runs, Spring Leaf (pictured, red rug) was the pick of the trio.
"Spring Leaf is a very good greyhound with great strength at the finish,’’ Dailly said.
“A few Sydneysiders told me after she ran down My Boy Snoop to win her Paws Of Thunder heat that they were amazed she was able to give that dog a start and a beating.
“But I wasn’t too surprised because Spring Leaf can really get to the line.”
Tom Dailly said he also gave Kerrigan Bale a good outside chance. “She had box eight when she won her heat and that suited her because she likes to have a bit of room to move early,” Dailly said.
“But she did not begin all that brilliantly in her heat and was still able to lead at the first turn. “Kerrigan Bale is capable of coming out running on occasions so if she happens to nail the start she can lead at the first bend, even though her box two draw is not great.’’
Meanwhile, Andrea Dailly will also unveil Crackerjack Max, one of their National Derby hopefuls, in Saturday night’s Thank You Officials Stakes at Wentworth Park. Crackerjack Max has won four of his past six Melbourne starts and posted a slick 29.43 winning at Sandown at his most recent appearance.
"We were toying with the idea of putting him in the Paws Of Thunder but he is only a baby so we decided to save him for the National Derby heats at Wentworth Park next week,’’ Tom Dailly said.
“It was always my intention to nominate him for a graded race on Paws Of Thunder night and Crackerjack Max is well drawn in box two. “He rails well and has good early speed.’’
The Dailly kennel will also be represented by Dyna Double One, second reserve for the Paws Of Thunder, in the National Derby heats. And their stayer Starc looms as the only threat to Space Star in Saturday night’s final of the Group 2 Ladbrokes Summer Distance Plate.
