Fantastic Spiral may have the edge on brother Fantastic Sid in today's Group 3 Classicbet Summer Puppy Classic (520m) decider at Nowra - but it looks close.
That is the inside word from owner-trainer Jason Fletcher as his siblings prepare to jump from boxes two and three respectively in Monday's $25,000-to-the-winner final.
Fantastic Sid leads his sibling in terms of career wins but his littermate has been devastating so far in the series.
Fletcher, a real stalwart of the sport who attended his first meeting while barely out of the maternity ward, said Spiral may have the narrowest of advantages.
“Fantastic Spiral is a reliable beginner, while Fantastic Sid can miss the start occasionally,” he said. “Having said that, if Sid does jump well, he will hug the rail and be hard to stop.
“Honestly, I cannot split them.”
After a slightly below-par heat run, Fantastic Sid hit top form in the semi-finals to win in 29.73.
He has 12 triumphs and eight minor placings from 25 starts and is usually reliable from the inside boxes.
Fantastic Spiral has looked arguably sharper in this series, though, clocking two sub-30 second runs.
Click here to watch a replay of Fantastic Spiral's semi-final win last week.
He has a terrific record from box three and with five wins from his last six starts he is in red hot form.
“They are both strong, so if the track’s wet it will not give one the edge,” Fletcher said.
“They are both fit and well and there’s nothing between them."
The biggest threat to the leading pair looks like My Boy Brodie (box five), who has shown up well in the series so far and enjoys visiting Nowra.
Nowra Hill’s Tracey Bryant should have plenty of home support with her two hopefuls, My Gangsta and Mako Man.
The former has a strong record starting from box four, has been very consistent recently and is a placing chance here.
In other action at Nowra, Jump The Gun (race three) and in-form middle distance contender Martin Clegg in race five look strong chances to salute.
This would be a first Group victory for Fletcher, who has enjoyed success after moving to a 25-acre property at Appin almost two years ago.
His father Sid was a notable trainer and Fletcher junior was taken to his first meeting aged just five days old.
“The old fellows said I was my father’s shadow,” the 41-year-old said. "I went everywhere with him at the track.
“I thought Fantastic Sid would be special, so I named him after my father.
“There’s days as a trainer when you ask yourself, ‘what am I doing’, but overall it’s very enjoyable.
“I love working with greyhounds and I’m having a great time.”
For Nowra Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 3 Classicbet Nowra Summer Puppy Classic Final Box Draw: 1. Calypso Star 2. Fantastic Sid 3. Fantastic Spiral 4. My Gangsta 5. My Boy Brodie 6. Mako Man
7. Angry Thunder 8. Destiny’s Dynamo. 1R: Young Gun, 2R: Silent Witness.
