Are Jai Que can take another step towards a possible crack at Group success while top-draw sprinter Rue De Kahn is also in action at Thursday’s Dapto meeting.
The sprinter was a very impressive winner at Wentworth Park last Friday night and jumps from box five here in the Dapto Swish and Swash Sprint Series (520m) heats.
After earlier starring in country NSW, Are Jai Que’s triumph at the Sydney track took her record to an eye-catching 11 successes and four placings from 16 starts.
With a perfect three wins from three to her name from the squeeze box, trainer Michael Clayton thinks another win here is a possibility.
“Box one would obviously be better but the boxes don’t really worry her,” he said.
“I don’t know if there’s too much speed on her inside here. If she does what she usually does, she will come out in front.
“Once she gets to the first bend in front, they find it hard to catch her.”
Are Jai Que first caught the eye with a superb 22.47 run over the 400m at Richmond on her seventh start in September last year.
Since then she has rose through the grades and secured her second Wentworth Park success last Friday.
After finishing a narrow second behind Steve White’s impressive newcomer Rare Pearl at Nowra on January 5, she defeated the same opponent and a strong field for her latest win.
“I think she broke the record for the first sectional at Nowra (on January 5),” Clayton said. “That shows how much speed she has.
“She is about 32 kilos, which is big for a bitch. I always think the bigger the greyhounds are, it takes them longer before they hit their straps.
“Her last start was only her third competitive 520m, to run that time was a good effort.
“She is perfect to handle and is probably one of the best chasers I’ve had.”
Clayton had considered nominating Are Jai Que for next Saturday’s Futurity heats but thinks she may need more racing experience yet before taking on the big races.
“If she can run a 29.80 at Wentworth Park and if there’s a Group 3 race maybe somewhere like Angle Park, then I would definitely look at that,” he said.
“The aim for the time being is to keep her fit, run her through the grades and have some fun watching her race.”
Last year’s Futurity winner Rue De Kahn has a first start over 600m in the night’s sixth race.
She has a tough-looking draw in box five but is currently racing well.
Other contenders at Dapto include Cy Tolliver in race one and Silver Label (race seven).
For Dapto Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
