Central Coast trainer Jeff Eaton is full of confidence heading into Friday night’s Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Black Top (515m) at Unibet Gardens.
Eaton has La Grand Logie ($7.50 with Sportsbet) jumping from box one in Friday night’s $40,000-to-the-winner decider at Unibet Gardens.
La Grand Logie (pictured with Eaton and his wife Carol) qualified for the feature race with a hard-fought 29.73 win in his heat last week. In that heat, La Grand Logie began well and while he tired late in the race still managed to hold on for a half length victory over Wyembah Road.
Eaton said if La Grand Logie can produce a similar start to last week’s heat he is in with a real chance in Friday night’s final.
“If he jumps like he did (in his heat) then they’ll have to catch him,” Eaton said.
“We had some problems (getting him fully fit) over the last few weeks but he should be right now.”
La Grand Logie will start immediately inside Smart Missile ($2.20), who was last week’s fastest qualifier with a super 29.19 track record run.
“Smart Missile is the one to catch but if there’s a mix-up anywhere then (La Grand Logie) can take advantage,” Eaton said.
Eaton said the prospect of claiming the prestigious Black Top was an “unreal” prospect.
“Every time I go to Wentworth Park (in Sydney) I always look at the Black Top show case there,” the owner-trainer said.
“I’ve always thought how good would it must have been to have a greyhound as good as Black Top was. It would be unreal to win a race like this – absolutely fantastic.”
Jilliby-based Eaton combines greyhound training with running the Maitland Tennis Centre. He still coaches at the centre but has reduced his on-court duties recently to concentrate on training.
“Greyhound racing is a good escape,” he said.
“I do miss (tennis) coaching, but greyhounds are my priority now. They are great to be around and I love training.”
The Black Top is shaping up to be one of the best in recent years.
Super veteran Miner’s Moss (box three, $4.80) was the third fastest qualifier and is aiming for his eighth straight win in the Group 2 event.
Uno Suzie (box six, $4.50), meanwhile, was second fastest last week and is in solid form, with four wins and two minor minor placings from her last nine starts. She has only scored two wins from nine previous starts from box six but trainer Anthony Azzopardi’s kennel is firing at the moment.
Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Supplies Box Draw (Sportsbet Fixed Odds prices in brackets): 1. La Grand Logie ($7.50) 2. Smart Missile ($2.20) 3. Miner’s Moss ($4.80) 4. Opus Forte ($7.50) 5. Gracie See More ($51) 6. Uno Suzie ($4.50) 7. Sheba’s Diva ($17.50) 8. Avenging Gun ($11). Reserves: 9. Brad Hill Billy ($2.80) 10. Explosive Range ($34).
For Unibet Gardens Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Prices correct at time of writing.
