War Picture will have to overcome his usual sluggish starts but owner-trainer Mark Wilkes still thinks his charge can win again at Ladbrokes Park Lismore tonight.
The chaser jumps from box five in the $3000-to-the-winner Ladbrokes Park Grand Opening 0-4 Wins Mixed Final (520m) aiming to continue his strong record at the NSW Northern Rivers track.
Wilkes is also aiming War Picture for March’s Group 2 Auction Series at Ipswich, where the sprinter has also already won well.
The newcomer has a good record from the middle boxes and Wilkes believes he can secure another victory here in the night's eighth race.
“His only problem is he is not the best in the world over the first 50 metres,” Wilkes said. “It takes him a little while to muster speed.
“I think, with respect, he is probably the only City class-winning dog here.
“I think the draw here may fancy the box two (Winton Burn) but if mine can stay with them and be in the first three at the first corner, he should be strong enough."
Last week’s smart 30.55 win at Lismore was War Picture’s third triumph in five starts at the track.
Watch War Picture’s latest victory here.
He has won from both boxes four and five already and Wilkes believes he will step up in distance soon.
“I think he has got good potential but it may lie over 600m,” he said. “Each time he goes now he seems to be looking for further.
“I have tried to work on his box manners but it just seems he is a slow starter.
“Apart from that, he is terrific to work with. You wouldn’t know he is there until they start the lure and then all he wants to do is race."
Wilkes, a retired local government worker who has been training intermittently for about 40 years, said he will likely take War Picture back to Ipswich after this run.
Meanwhile, War Picture’s promising littermate Itsa Picture has been nominated for a 420m maiden at Lismore this Friday.
The pup has endured injury problems but Wilkes, who works out of Casino, close to Lismore, believes he could also be a City class chaser in time too.
Other strong contenders at Lismore tonight include in-form Blimey Fox (race five) and Hollywood Hearts in the sixth.
For Lismore Tuesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
