John Ayoub is hoping Dear Darcey can make his racing dreams come true in this Saturday’s Group 1 Rapidvite Peter Mosman Classic (520m) semi-finals.
The exciting pup jumps from box one in the third of four cracking semi-finals and looks a strong chance to earn a place in the decider.
Dear Darcey was a terrific winner in last Saturday night’s heats and looks one of NSW’s best hopes of preventing gun Victorians Fernando Bale or Dyna Double One snaring the title.
Owner-trainer Ayoub believes the favourable draw has given his greyhound a decent chance of claiming a place in the $75,000-to-the-winner decider.
“Really, he comes out well from any box (but) he is a different greyhound when he’s on the bunny,” Ayoub, who works out Londonderry in western Sydney, said.
“I've given him some work at Glengarrie (trial track) and it seems to have worked. He came out of the boxes so fast last Saturday.
“This will be tough but if he comes out well again and gets to the front quickly, they’ll have a job to catch him.
“I’ve never had a finalist in this race and it would be a dream to make the final.”
Dear Darcey caught the eye when he won his heat and semi-final of this year’s Group 3 Magic Maiden at Wentworth Park, including a 29.89 run.
The son of Barcia Bale and Awesome Star finished fourth in the decider but has since extended his record to six wins from nine starts, including last Saturday night’s 30.03 succesful effort.
Click here to watch a replay of Dear Darcey’s heat win.
Dear Darcey’s biggest rivals in the semi-finals look like this year’s Group 3 Ladies Bracelet winner Elfen Bale (box two) and box three hopeful Winsome Mission (pictured, black rug).
The latter clocked 29.81 in his heat and has multiple Wentworth Park wins to his name.
Ayoub said he would be overjoyed to see his greyhound earn a place in next Saturday’s final alongside Fernando Bale.
The superstar sprinter, who has won 16 of his last 17 races, is the hot favourite for the series and goes in the first semi-final this Saturday.
“Fernando Bale is the fastest dog I’ve ever seen,” Ayoub said. “He is a freak.
“I’d be happy for any of my greyhounds just to run second behind a greyhound like that – even it was 20 lengths behind him.
“I don’t get too excited now with racing but I reckon I’ll have a drink if we make the final.”
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
