Kidatee Croc may not have drawn perfectly but Darren Russell believes his flying charge still has a chance of securing silverware at Albion Park on Thursday.
The in-form chaser will seek a fourth straight win when he jumps from box one in what looks an even-looking $13,860-to-the-winner Clem Jones Cup (600m), the day’s eighth race.
Always a consistent performer, Kidatee Croc has been in strong form since stepping back up the 600m four starts ago.
Trainer Russell would have preferred the pink rug here but believes that with a good start, his chaser can make it four in a row.
“I will tell if he can win after the first five meters,” Russell said.
“When he starts, it’s funny – he goes one step to the right. I think the two dog (Golfing Amy) likes to go left, which is a worry.
“I would have preferred box eight (but) I’m really happy with how he has been running. If he gets out clear, he can win.”
Kidatee Croc’s recent good form has taken his record to a very respectable 14 wins and 13 placings from 39 starts.
Seven of those victories have been at Albion Park and he also triumphed on two of his four previous starts from box one.
Russell’s kennel is also going well at the moment, with his unfancied sprinter Farmer’s Gold producing two strong runs to qualify for the recent Gosford Cup final and eventually finish third ahead of the likes of Zipping Willow.
The opposition here includes 2013 Lismore Cup winner Regal Lauryn and the Always-dangerous Hougenie but Russell believes his bargain star is a contender.
“He’s only about 28 kilos but he is all heart,” Russell said.
“We bought him after he’d had a dozen starts. He was cheap – about $1000 – but he’s done really well for us.
“He has just shown good extra speed recently. I don’t think he’ll go further than 600m but this distance suits him.”
Tony Brett’s class sprinter Flash Reality looks a strong chance in race Seven.
Other chasers looking handy here include Midnight Tammy (race two), Giggling Tommy in the third and Messidonna Cloud in race four.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
