Persistence is paying off for Syd Swain and Silver Label and the impressive sprinter has big claims for another win at Thursday’s Dapto meeting.
Last month’s Richmond Cannonball winner goes for a seventh success in nine starts in the second of four Greyhound Recorder Silver Collar heats (520m).
Silver Label is backing up from another super triumph at Wentworth Park last Saturday night, beating a quality field over the 520m in 30.01.
Trainer Swain said his charge's consistent run was the result of hard work.
“It has taken a year to get his strength up,” the 68-year-old said. “We’ve had to ease him through the distances.
“Maybe it’s a message to other trainers. You can spend 12 months putting a 400m greyhound over 500m but sometimes you’ve got to build them up instead.
“Don’t get me wrong, I still like winning races, but at my stage of life I like getting the best out of dogs when you didn’t think it would happen.
“That’s what it’s all about.”
Silver Label’s latest win took his record to 19 wins and nine minor placings from 36 starts.
Watch Silver Label’s latest win here.
He is absolutely superb from the inside boxes but is no slouch from box six either, with four wins from five starts with the green rug.
The chaser also enjoys his visits to Dapto, with a victory and two minor placings from his three previous visits to the Illawarra track.
“He’s definitely not an inside box specialist,” Swain said.
“It’s not really about blistering pace with him. Once he hits the ground, he just has good racing sense.”
There is some tough opposition here in the night’s sixth race, though, including Fantastic Spiral in box three and Paua To Roar (box five).
The former has three wins from three at Dapto and is great form.
“She is a quality greyhound,” Swain said. “I’m not a punter, but to be honest I’m not sure I would be backing mine to beat her.
“(But) if Silver Label gets away fine, he has a chance.”
Last month’s Puppy Auction Short Course Classic winner Sokyo (box six) looks a good chance in the first heat.
Black Empress and Miss Sueko look strong contenders in the third and fourth heats respectively.
The $5,000-to-the-winner final takes place next Thursday.
For Dapto Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
