Jingjing may not be the fastest on paper for this Saturday’s Group 1 National Futurity but trainer Chris Nutt is hoping lightning can strike twice and earn him a famous win.
The pocket rocket chaser, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence, jumps from box seven in the $75,000-to-the-winner decider aiming for an unlikely win.
Nutt’s greyhound only had her first competitive race eight weeks ago but is already one of NSW’s most exciting chasers and is a roughie chance here at $10 with Sportsbet.
Jingjing (pictured) faces a high-class field but Nutt is hoping for a repeat of the remarkable 2011 Australia Cup boilover win for unfancied chaser St Pierre, a greyhound he owned.
“You can’t get too excited but she’s got a small chance,” he said.
“On times she has got to improve seven lengths but we had a similar story with St Pierre. He was unfancied but jumped on the bunny and he was off and gone.
“The draw doesn’t worry me. I like her out nice and wide where she can keep out of trouble.
“She is completely rested and in good shape.”
Jingjing has run excellently so far in the series, including a 29.95 effort behind Kerrigan Bale in last week’s semi-finals.
A daughter of boom sire Barcia Bale x Hidden Assets, she first caught the eye with a superb 29.84 run at Dapto over the 520m in mid-December and has powered on from there.
The 24.5kg chaser, who has five wins and three placings from her eight starts so far, is not the greatest starter but can certainly fly when she hits her stride.
“She is not a lid pinger but she can muster very quick,” Nutt said.
“It’s a gamble with the Barcia Bales. People ask if they can run the 500m, but she certainly can.
“I hope what she’s doing now stands her in good stead for six months down the line when hopefully she may be one of the oldest greyhounds in races like this.”
Spring Leaf in box one ($2.60) and fellow Victorian Kerrigan Bale (box four, $4.20) are the standout chances, with Weblec Belle a tempting chance from the pink rug at $6.50.
Whatever happens, Nutt is looking forward to pressing his best shirt and enjoying the big night.
“I’ve been told I spruce up okay sometimes,” he said with a grin.
“You pinch yourself with a greyhound like her. It’s not just me – it’s other people who have put in hard work with her.
“It certainly makes getting up in the morning a lot easier.”
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
National Futurity box draw (Sportsbet Fixed Odds prices in brackets: 1. Spring Leaf ($2.60) 2. Polly Bale ($26) 3. Dyna Nico ($5) 4. Kerrigan Bale ($4.20) 5. Ella Has Class ($15) 6. Zipping Midge ($8) 7. Jingjing ($10) 8. Weblec Belle ($6.50). Reserves: Zipping Abby, Eyes Adorable.
All prices correct at time of writing.
