Exciting newcomer Jingjing returns to Richmond on Saturday as she prepares for another crack at Group races.
The chaser, who went from debuting at Dapto in December to contending for the recent Group 1 National Futurity in just eight weeks, jumps from box five in the Mark Wroe Turning The Big 30 Stakes (535m).
Despite a slow start, she won over the 520m at Dapto last week for her sixth win in 10 starts.
The tough opposition here includes Lithgow Panther (box two) and Group finalist La Grand Logie in box six but trainer Chris Nutt believes his charge can win again in the night’s fifth race.
“If she can nail the start, she will be gone,” he said.
“This is a good race. There’s greyhounds here who’ve run 30.40, whereas she is a 30.70 greyhound, but if she comes out well she can win.
“She found the gap really well (last week) and I was happy with how she held the line and her finishing time.
“She is a beauty – a really good little chaser – and we just hope she can learn to come out better.”
Watch Jingjing’s latest win at Dapto here.
Jingjing has exploded onto the scene, running a 29.84 for the 520m on her third start at Dapto, winning a Wentworth Park Saturday race over the same distance and qualifying for the Futurity final, where she finished fifth.
Nutt said he was potentially aiming Jingjing, who has won of her two previous visits here, for a tilt at the Group 2 Futurity.
The series at Albion Park is worth $40,000 to the winner and starts on April 9.
“That’s the major goal,” Nutt said.
“After Richmond we’ll probably give her a couple of starts at Wentworth Park, then take her for a trial and a race at Albion Park before the Futurity.
“That’s a long way ahead, though.
“Last week was the worst she has come out. We are holding our breath this week will be better.”
Road Crew has made a strong start to his racing career and looks a good chance in race seven.
John Maroun’s chaser produced a terrific start to win over the 535m here last week and can triumph again here from box eight.
Radwanska’s career has been hampered by injury so far, but she can win race five.
Darren Sultana’s chaser should have been sharpened by a run over 472m at Bulli earlier this month and can win from box five.
Electric Star is inconsistent but has produced some strong runs at Richmond and can complete the quaddie by winning race eight.
For Richmond Saturday field, forms and expert picks, click here.
