Jason Fletcher believes Fantastic Sid is a great chance in today’s Group 3 Classicbet Nowra Summer Puppy Classic (520m) heats but brother Fantastic Spiral has a tougher task on his hands.
The kennelmates, who already have 18 victories already between them, jump in the first and second heats of the $25,000-to-the-winner series respectively.
Fantastic Sid will jump from box five in great form, having won superbly over the 472m at Bulli last start on April 1.
He has a decent record from the middle boxes and owner-trainer Fletcher thinks he should have enough class for this.
“I think he should win,” Fletcher said.
“No disrespect to the other greyhounds here but this is a drop down for Sid. He has been in the (Group 1) Derby and (Group 1) Easter Egg heats recently, so has really had it tough.
“He is in good form and should be able to handle this draw okay.”
Click here to watch a replay of Fantastic Sid’s last start win at Bulli.
Fantastic Spiral (box three) is also in strong form, having secured his eighth win from 16 starts at the same Bulli meeting as his brother.
He faces some tougher-looking opposition in his heat, though, headed by recent Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden winner Black Bear Lee (pictured) in box four.
“Black Bear Lee is a good dog,” Fletcher said. “If he was drawn inside Spiral then it would be tough.
“As Spiral is inside him today, though, I think Black Bear Lee will find it hard to cross him.
“I think Sid and Spiral both have equal chances for the series. There is nothing between them ability-wise so it comes down to the boxes.
“If they progress then whoever gets drawn close to the rail for the rest of the series will have a big advantage.”
Lord Gee goes in the fifth heat (race eight) and looks the best bet of the day at Nowra.
The Christine Proctor-trained sprinter is aiming for back-to-back Group 3 titles after claiming the New Sensation at Wentworth Park earlier this month.
With eight wins from 17 starts he is one of the classiest and most experienced hopefuls here and seems a strong chance for the series.
Mako Man and Senorita Dolly both look decent chances in the other two heats respectively.
A decent roughie for the age-restricted series could be Silent Witness, who jumps from box eight in the same heat as Lord Gee.
Semi-finals take place next Monday, with the final the Saturday afternoon.
For Nowra Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
