Rue De Kahn is making an unexpected trip north for tonight's Group 3 Big Dog (600m) heats at Albion Park but trainer Dean Swain thinks she can represent NSW in style.
Last year’s Group 1 National Futurity winner (pictured, pink rug), who has won almost $150,000 in prizemoney, jumps from box one in the second of three heats of the $25,000-to-the-winner series.
The solid sprinter has mainly raced over 520m but has enjoyed two decent hitouts over 600m recently, winning at Dapto and finishing third at Unibet Gardens.
Swain’s chaser has had two previous races at Albion Park without success but the western Sydney trainer is delighted with the “beautiful” box draw this time.
“That’s a big advantage at Albion Park,” he said.
“Albion Park is a tricky track – it’s like a velodrome.
“I’ve spoken with people like Tony Brett and they’ve had good greyhound take eight or ten starts to get used to the track.
“I didn’t actually know the race was on (initially). I heard the prize-money had gone up (and) there’s not many 600 metre races worth as much, so I thought, ‘let’s take her there’.
“Hopefully she can get through to the final, get an inside draw there and give it a go.”
The daughter of Where’s Pedro x Shelbourne Dawn has secured 13 wins and 17 placings from 45 starts.
She has been in decent form since returning from a five-week break late last year, including a second place in the recent Group 2 Gosford Cup.
“She only turns three in February so I think she has plenty of racing left in her,” Swain said.
“She has been racing against the best greyhounds (but) I think she has acquitted herself well considering the class of opposition she’s faced.
“You’d certainly want a few more like her in your kennel.”
Swain said he will likely give Rue De Kahn a break a break after this race ahead of a crack at the forthcoming Group 1 Golden Easter Egg heats.
Last year’s Group 3 Darwin Cup winner Clash of Kings is an interesting contender in heat one.
The Queensland owned, Victorian-trained chaser has not been north since that win last August but has built a decent record of 11 wins and six placings from 24 starts.
He should face tough competition from local hopeful Hougenie (box eight), a solid 600m performer at Albion Park with a strong record from the outside.
Recent Gosford Cup placegetter Farmer’s Gold (heat three) looks another decent chance for the series.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
