Sokyo has his work cut out to overcome the lid-pingers but trainer Christine Oldfield feels her chaser still has a chance in Thursday’s Dapto Puppy Classic Short Course Classic Final (297m).
The consistent chaser jumps from box seven in the $8000-to-the-winner final having qualified fastest from last week’s heats.
He has a super record at Dapto and bolted round last week in 16.90, but Oldfield thinks the draw has done her charge no favours.
“He hasn’t drawn very well in this,” she said.
“He likes to rail and being close to the rail would be an advantage in a race like this.
“The dog inside him (Tayzzatron) showed good dash last week and could be tough to stop.
“With this shorter distances, whoever jumps well should win."
Sokyo is the classiest contender in the field, having recorded seven wins and nine other minor placings from 19 starts.
He has a recent Wentworth Park win over the 520m to his name and loves his visits to Dapto, with six victories from seven trips to the Illawarra track.
Sokyo’s first sectional was a decent but unspectacular 5.36 and Oldfield thinks he will need to improve.
Watch Sokyo’s win last week here.
“I’m certainly not ruling out his chances,” she said.
“He ran 30 in his sectional and has trialled better than that there, so I’m hoping he can go that little bit quicker this time round.
“He does like the track and he has won a few there for me over the 520, so I’m hoping he will be right.”
This is the fifth of 10 races at Dapto, with some terrific action in prospect.
Mark Gatt’s Nit Noi (box seven) has run well in her two starts here so far and can win race three over the 520m.
Improving Twist Me Over (box one) faces a quality field but looks well drawn to take out race four.
Diva’s Law ran a great 30.01 to win here last start and has a good chance of winning race eight.
For Dapto Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
