Jason Fletcher admits he is unsure if record-breaker Fantastic Dotty can improve on her stunning debut – but he is itching to find out.
The boom pup, who will jump from box three in the first of four Group 3 DEAN Industrial Dapto Maiden Classic (520m) semi-finals this Thursday, has been the talk of the NSW greyhound racing world since last week's terrific heat display.
Fantastic Dotty scorched to an amazing 15-length victory in 29.43 – shaving 0.01 off the previous track best set by two-time NSW Greyhound of the Year Double Twist.
She looks to have drawn well in her semi-final and owner-trainer Fletcher said he was still on a high from her display.
“I couldn’t be happier with her,” he said.
“Given how she had trialled, I was expecting her to run around 29.50. It was a terrific feeling to see the time.
“She was understandably a little flat for a day or two after the run but she seems to be picking up now.
“It’s a bit much to expect her to run that time again (but) I hope come Thursday she’s ready to go again.”
Fantastic Dotty is the latest boom pup thrown by dam Light Fantastic, a versatile performer who had six wins from 18 starts for Fletcher.
A first litter produced by Light Fantastic and Spiral Nikita included hot siblings Fantastic Sid and Fantastic Spiral, who have scored a combined 30 wins so far in NSW and Victoria.
Light Fantastic’s second litter of pups with Goodesy has produced the likes of hot newcomers Fantastic Tail, Fantastic Roxy and now Fantastic Dotty.
“Light Fantastic has been magnificent for me,” Fletcher said. “Two of her litters are racing and I am working on the third now.
“I’m so lucky to have had a fantastic greyhound like her.
“When you breed, train and rear greyhounds and get results like this, it’s a satisfying feeling, I can tell you.
“I’m not always comfortable about talking about their exploits. I’m happy to let the greyhounds’ results do the talking for me.”
Fantastic Dotty will go in the same heat as Billy Emgrand (box seven), the first of champion Miata’s pups to start racing.
He scored a tough but solid 30.28 debut victory in his heat.
To complete a tough field, Kristy Sultana's Sky Book, who ran 29.84 last week and looked impressively, jumps from box five.
DEAN Swain’s Tilly’s Boy ran a superb 29.65 and has drawn the red rug in the third semi-final.
Struggle Street in the second semi and Defaulter , who goes in the fourth semi and looked impressive in last week's heats, both look capable of scoring wins after their strong runs last week.
The winners of this Thursday’s semi-finals progress to the final seven days later, which offers $25,000 to the winner.
For Dapto Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
