Miner's Moss Looks A Black Top Tip

Flying veteran Miner’s Moss looks a hot pick in today's Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Black Top (515m) heats.

Mathew Reid's evergreen greyhound (box three) has his 97th start in heat five (race seven) of the $40,000-to-the-winner series and is a standout chance to qualify for next week’s final.

The son of Magic Sprite and Bellbird Park has scored eight wins in his last nine starts, including a terrific 30.02 victory at Wentworth Park earlier this month.

Miner's Moss was hampered by an intestinal problem for several months but Reid said his greyhound was now full of beans on and off the track.

“He’s a ball of energy,” the trainer said. “He comes out in the yard and wants to play with all his younger kennelmates.

“He’s certainly not getting crochety in his old age. He’s a gentle greyhound – so lovely-natured.

“He loves racing so it’s wonderful to see him winning.

“He’ll stay with us when he is retired and one thing’s for sure – he will make a great pet.”

Miner’s Moss’s win at Wentworth Park took his record to a super 40 successes and 23 minor placings and prizemoney earnings close to $90,000.

He has two wins from three previous starts here and scored a good triumph in the heats of last year's series.

Miner's Moss has recorded five wins and two minor placings from 11 starts out of box three and Reid likes his chances here.

"Box three here will suit him," Reid said. "He's handy from there and should be able to work to the front.

"It's a good field but he has avoided some of the 'big guns' I think (and) in current form he has to have a chance."

The Black Top is one of the most prestigious NSW series of the year and has once again attracted a super field.

Others to watch include in-form Paua To Roar in heat one and Elusive Zesta, from Jason Mackay's gun Hunter Valley kennels, in heat two.

Kennelmate Smart Missile looks ideally drawn in box one to take heat four, while La Grand Logie (box three) has been running solidly recently and can win heat seven.

For those looking for value picks, Fire Elusive (box seven, heat five) and Karma Connie (box two, heat six) look tempters.

Veteran Fire Elusive ran a strong 29.77 on his last start here in June, while Karma Connie has a terrific record here and has been racing solidly recently at various distances.

For Unibet Gardens Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.