Queensland superstar Iva Vision will go into Friday night’s second heat of the Remedial Building Systems Richmond Derby (535m) without having seen the track - but connections believe that could be an advantage.
Iva Vision will chase his 15th win in 25 starts when he exits box eight against local flyers Winsome Prince and Army Surplus.
The double Group winner was unable to make it through the Gosford Cup heats on his only previous competitive visit to NSW last Boxing Day.
But Brian Young, who co-trains the dog with his son Peter, believes his charge can do better here.
“Iva Vision has consistently clocked his fastest times at his initial run on a track," he said.
“For example, he trialled 29.27 at Sandown but was never able to match those figures in a race.
“When he trialled 29.93 at Wentworth Park on January 3 while getting ready for the Paws Of Thunder heats we thought he should have gone better so we decided to give him a short spell.
“Iva Vision returned to win in 29.93 at Albion Park on February 26 and although he had previously won in 29.57 we were happy with his run because another dog was leaning on him for part of the race.
“While we might have preferred an inside box at Richmond, Iva Vision has won three of his five races from box eight so we are hoping Army Surplus, the dog in box seven, can give us a cart across in the run to the first turn.’’
Minnie Finn, trainer of Winsome Prince, rates that greyhound and Winsome Jacko, who has box seven in heat three, the best of her four Derby aspirants.
“We would have had five runners but Anything Les injured a stopper bone in the Australian Cup heats in Melbourne last week and is likely to miss the Golden Easter Egg as well as Richmond,’’ Finn said.
“My Derby heat starters have all drawn well except for Winsome Mission, who has box seven in heat one and would be better suited on the rails.
“Winsome Prince has not raced at Richmond but trials really well there while Winsome Jacko absolutely flies around that track.
“Winsome Jacko badly needs an outside box and was overdue for a suitable wide draw.
“Winsome Senor , who has box eight in heat four, is also nicely positioned.’’
Strongest of the heats is the opener where Bad Boy Sniper (pictured, blue rug) in box two clashes with Zipping Sonny (three), Victoria’s Allen Gravion (four), My Boy Snoop (five), Winsome Mission and La Grand Logie (eight).
The draw favours Bad Boy Sniper who has won three of his six Richmond races and registered one of his most impressive wins at Wentworth Park last Saturday night.
Although giving away plenty in terms of experience and grade, locally trained No Donuts (box six) is tipped to win heat four.
At only his fifth start the Hank Vanderburg-prepared No Donuts defeated Bad Boy Sniper at Richmond on February 21 and has been specifically set for this race.
But he will face stern opposition from the ideally drawn Zipping Oscar (box one), last start Wentworth Park winner I’m Pedro (four), Cosmic Angel (five), Lithgow Panther (seven) and Winsome Senor.
Lithgow Panther is unraced in the city but posted near record figures of 30.13 over the 535m Derby trip at Richmond last Saturday night.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Richmond Friday picks:
Best Bet: Winsome Prince (Race 5)
Best Value: Majestic Odessa (Race 2)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 1, 7, 8
Race 6 – 3, 7, 4
Race 7 – 6, 5
Race 8 – 2, 4
$20 for 55.55%
