Bass Louder is a strong chance to hand owner-trainer Kevin Pearce his second big race win in this afternoon's Shakey Jakey @ Stud Orange Cup Final (520m).
The promising sprinter, who has won eight of his first 13 starts, looks the one to beat in the $4,000-to-the-winner race at Bathurst.
Bass Louder was on the verge of being sold overseas for racing as a pup for $500 before Pearce agreed to take him on from the previous owner.
The chaser repaid Pearce’s faith by winning the $10,000-to-the-winner Soldier’s Saddle at Bathurst in December – giving the retired farmer his biggest victory in 50 years’ involvement with the sport.
“I seldom go in races like that because I think I have little chance of winning,” the 77-year-old said.
“I didn’t even know half the people congratulating me afterwards, but it was a nice feeling hearing them cheering for both myself and the greyhound.”
Bass Louder can be a slow starter but usually produces devastating middle sections and a decent finish over the 520m.
He finished second in last week’s heats behind All Too Fancy, who is also a big threat here.
Dennis Barnes’s consistent rival has been running well recently and will start inside her rival in box three.
“I don’t think the box matters too much,” Pearce said.
“If Bass Louder comes out near them, he can win. He normally doesn’t come out of the box too well but when he hits the ground, you know about it.
“If he had better box manners, he would be a champion, but he is still a very solid dog.”
Velvet Flame cannot be ruled out despite going slightly below-par in last week’s heats and drawing box eight here.
The Andrew Bayliss-trained sprinter has had a solid career so far and should be a match for most of these at her best.
Ten races are on offer at Bathurst and action starts at 4.03pm.
Click here for fields, form and expert tips for today's Bathurst meeting.
