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Bessy Boo is at peak fitness heading into Friday’s Group 1 Greyhound-data.com Dapto Megastar (520m), with the star veteran trialling well at the Illawarra track.
The Christine Proctor-trained greyhound (pictured) had a 29.62 hit out at Dapto last Thursday ahead of Friday’s feature event, sending an ominous warning to his rivals.
Bessy Boo’s handler, Alan Proctor, was impressed with the trial but believes Bessy Boo can go even quicker in the Megastar.
“I think he’s capable of going 29.40 at best but it’s all about getting that clear run,” Proctor said.
“It’s hard to run those times when you have to weave your way through them, especially in a quality field like this.
“Dapto suits the inside runners. The greyhounds in one, two and three here – Fantastic Dotty, Whittaker and Fantastic Spiral – all have a good chance.
“(But) Bessy Boo generally comes out okay and if he gets that clear run from the first corner, that’s the whole story for him.”
Bessy Boo ($8 with Sportsbet), last year’s Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic winner, is nearing 100 starts but is arguably in career best form having won the NSW Sprint Championship Final and finishing second to Fernando Bale in the Group 1 Ladbrokes National Sprint Championship.
He will jump from box four on Friday night, a draw from which he has a record of three wins and four minor placings from eight previous starts.
Proctor said his greyhound will be aimed for next week's Group 2 Bob Payne Spring Sprint heats at Wentworth Park and there was no talk of retiring the veteran yet.
“He loves racing,” Proctor said. “He can race on Saturday night and on Sunday morning he’ll be jumping around on his back legs wanting to go again.
“We don’t usually trial him. He just gets a run up our straight track and that it’s. That’s how he keeps fresh and ready to go.
“He’s got a lot against him here and he’ll need a bit of luck, but he’s in with a chance.”
Hot newcomer Fantastic Dotty (box one), who broke the Dapto track record here twice recently, is the $2.70 favourite with Sportsbet.
Two-time Group winner Keybow (box five), who trialled brilliantly here last week in 29.50, is on the next line of betting at $3.40.
First Reserve Miss Sueko (box eight) gets a run after the injury-enforced withdrawal of Rue De Kahn.
The Megastar headlines what looks a fantastic night’s racing at the Illawarra track.
For Dapto Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 1 Dapto Megastar Box Draw (Sportsbet 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. Miss Sueko ($13). Res: Rare Peal ($11).
Prices correct at the time of writing.
