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Jason Fletcher is confident his gun newcomer Fantastic Dotty will come out firing in this Friday’s Group 1 Dapto Megastar (520m).
The boom greyhound, who set track records at her first two starts prior to winning the Group 3 Dapto Maiden, has drawn box one for the feature event.
After her brilliant performances in the heat and semi-finals of the Dapto Maiden, Fantastic Dotty bombed the start in the final and had to produce a stunning finish to edge out Tilly’s Boy.
Owner-trainer Fletcher (pictured with Fantastic Dotty) believes his greyhound should start better here with the red rug.
“It’s the draw I wanted so it’s up to her now,” he said.
“She can’t afford a slow start here but she has not bombed the start consecutively in her life so far. I’m confident she will start well and really make it a race.”
Fletcher also has Fantastic Spiral jumping from box three in the $67,500-to-the-winner decider.
This year’s Group 3 Nowra Spring Puppy Classic winner qualified after hanging on to finish third in last Thursday’s Megastar Prelude behind winner Aphorism and runner-up Whittaker.
That was his first 520m run in more than a month and with four wins from six visits to Dapto, he looks one of the main value chances in the race.
“He will benefit from that run,” Fletcher said.
“I think Fantastic Dotty has about three lengths on him, but he’s certainly a good second chance behind her.
“Both of them are happy and it’s all systems go.”
Whatever happens, father-of-four Fletcher will have plenty of support during Friday’s race.
“I’m going to have a large group of family and friends down there. Let’s hope I’m not looking for somewhere to hide after the race,” he said.
“I’m so happy to have two reasonable chances in a race like this. It’s something every trainer aspires to.
“If Fantastic Dotty nails the start, I think she can run a mighty race.”
Of the other runners, Keybow (box five) showed he is reaching peak fitness with an impressive 29.50 performance trial at Dapto last Thursday.
Veteran Bessy Boo (box four), meanwhile, is in the form of his life, with five wins and six minor placings from his last 11 starts.
A notoriously slow starter with a huge engine, he also trialled well here last week on his first visit to Dapto in 29.62.
The top two placegetters in last week’s Megastar Prelude Aphorism (box six) and Whittaker (box two), along with two-time Group winners Flash Reality and Rue De Kahn (boxes seven and eight) round out the field.
The Dapto Megastar will take place in a special Friday night timeslot with a big crowd expected at the Illawarra track.
Group 1 Dapto Megastar Box Draw (Sportsbet fixed odds prices in brackets): 1. Fantastic Dotty ($2.70) 2. Whittaker ($11) 3. Fantastic Spiral ($7) 4. Bessy Boo ($8) 5. Keybow ($3.40) 6. Aphorism ($8) 7. Flash Reality ($9) 8.Rue De Kahn ($21). 1R: Miss Sueko ($15), 2R: Rare Pearl ($11).
Prices correct at the time of writing.
