John Little believes Pedro Cerrano has a narrow but potentially decisive edge over kennelmate Mr. Writer in what looks a terrific meeting at Dapto on Thursday.
Little's sprinters go in a high-quality www.greyhound-data.com Sprint Series Final (520m), while the meeting also features two Heats of the $7,000-to-the-winner XXXX Gold Cup (520m).
Pedro Cerrano has been flying recently, won well on debut at Dapto last week and looks ideally drawn in box three.
Mr Writer (box seven) has run quicker at Dapto and has is also in strong form, but trainer Little believes Pedro Cerrano has the advantage.
“I think Pedro Cerrano should lead, although Mr Writer is a stronger finisher,” he said.
“Pedro Cerrano has the better box and I think that counts for plenty at Dapto.
“There’s some good dogs involved here. It won’t be easy for either of them, but I think if you lead at Dapto you are hard to catch.
“Pedro Cerrano is boxed to do that and his early speed should stand him in good stead.”
A son of Where’s Pedro and Chasing Diana, Pedro Cerrano’s 30.02 win here last week took the impressive newcomer’s record to seven wins from nine starts.
Click here to watch a replay of Pedro Cerrano's victory at Dapto last week.
That was his first start over 520m but he stepped up well and looks a potential Group race contender soon.
Mr Writer has been very consistent in recent weeks, with his triumph last week making it six wins and five minor placings from 15 starts.
Rob Stark (box one) ran 29.94 winning here last month, while Deborah Lee has gone sub-30 seconds here and is decent from the middle boxes.
The evening also features two excellent XXXX Gold Derby Heats, which have attracted some top NSW hopefuls.
Heat one (race six) features what looks a terrific contest between JODIE Lord’s impressive pair Let It Develop and Are Jip.
The former has been racing very impressively recently but Are Jip looks slightly better drawn inside slow starter Goldengrove Lad so could be the better bet.
Recent Richmond Cannonball winner Silver Label can win the second Heat (race seven), although last Sunday’s Cosmic Rumble Gold Cup finalist Topper Road (pictured) and Jack Kade both have claims.
The final is next Thursday.
In other action at Dapto, Moonshine Nipper looks ideally drawn in box one to take out the third Heat (race eight).
Macarthur-based Little has been enjoying plenty of success in recent months and the 75-year-old is still enjoying the thrill of racing.
“It’s a good hobby,” he said. “I get to potter around my 10-acre property and I like the people you meet at the tracks.
“I used to get disappointed when my greyhounds lost but now I don’t get down. I always think ‘there’s next week’.
“More than anything, I love working with greyhounds. They are lovely animals.”
For Dapto Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
