Unbeaten greyhound Sub Zero Sahara is providing fledgling trainer Michael Johnston with plenty of cheer and will be out to maintain his perfect record at Saturday’s Mandurah meeting.
The exciting pup jumps from box eight in the night’s opening race over 405m aiming for a third straight victory.
Sub Zero Saharah is from a decent litter from Dee Winter and Octane Baby including brother Belfast Tommy, winner of a recent Maiden Final at Horsham who is now in Johnston’s kennels.
He earned his second win here last week in a decent 23.09 and Johnston thinks he can score the hat-trick here.
“I’m cautiously optimistic,” he said. “His first start was from the eight and he handled that well.
“He ran a slower time last week but it had been raining.
“He has been a little slow out of the boxes and then mustered. Being in the eight should mean if he misses the start, he has the room to kick on.
“All things being equal, he can win again here.”
Sub Zero Sahara is the fastest on paper here and looks well-suited to the Mandurah track.
Johnston said he will likely give the pup a few more runs at the same venue before aiming him for the 490m.
Dabbler (box eight) is flying right now looks a strong chance to claim his fifth win in six starts with victory in race two (405m).
The son of Kinloch Brae and Halle does not have much previous form from box seven but is running superbly at the moment.
Fun Boss has had a terrific year but endured a rare disappointment in last week’s WA Sprint Championship, finishing fifth.
He is much better than that and can atone here in race three (490m) from box two.
Classy pair Blinker’s On and Astronomize are in good form and should salute in races four and seven respectively.
Fun Boss’s kennelmate Super Fun (box seven) seems to be running into form over the last couple of weeks so back him to win race 10.
Johnston has only been training for about a year but has a great track record as an owner of such greyhounds as Surgeon, the 2008 Melbourne Cup winner.
He is now mentoring a handful of promising pups and said the support of mates was spurring his enjoyment of training.
“Initially, because my friends are involved (with owning his greyhounds) I felt a lot of pressure (to win),” he said. “Now, they let me do what I want.
“It’s great seeing them high-fiving and cheering the greyhounds on when they see the greyhounds get a win. That’s what motivates me to do well.
“I have a bit more confidence in the training process now and it’s definitely exciting.”
For Mandurah Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
