Two-time Group winner Keybow is “raring to go” ahead of tonight’s blockbuster Group 1 Greyhound-data.com Dapto Megastar (520m).
The veteran greyhound ($3.40 with Sportbet), whose career record includes 25 wins and 15 minor placings from 53 starts, jumps from box five in the $67,500-to-the-winner decider and is one of two hopes for gun Queensland trainer Tony Brett.
Keybow (pictured) comes into tonight’s race off the back of an impressive 29.50 trial run at Dapto last week – just 0.16 outside Fantastic Dotty’s track record.
While some experts have expressed concern at Keybow’s draw in the squeeze box, Brett said is greyhound can overcome the tough draw.
“Obviously I was hoping for an inside draw but this isn’t bad,” he said. “His preparation has been good and he’s raring to go.
“He has to come out as good as he did last week in his trial. If he does, he has a chance.”
Keybow has always been a class performer but has enjoyed a career renaissance since transferring to Brett’s kennels earlier this year.
He has won five of his last nine starts and with victories in four states he is never fazed by travelling.
Keybow will be joined in the final by kennelmate Flash Reality (box seven, $9), who finished third in last year’s Megastar and also trialled well last week in 29.78.
Last year’s Group 1 WINTER Cup winner has not run competitively for almost a month after his Townsville Cup heat win but has a decent record from box seven, with two wins and three minor placings from six starts
The big question is whether Flash Reality has the pace to threaten the best here from this draw.
“I think he can,” Brett said.
“We would have taken box eight for him, so seven was the next best. He has trialled well and is ready to go.”
Jason Fletcher’s hot pup and track record holder Fantastic Dotty (box one) is the $2.70 favourite with Sportsbet.
Fantastic Dotty did blow the start in her third appearance here but with her two previous runs warrants the favourite tag.
Kennelmate and this year’s Group 3 Nowra Summer Puppy Classic winner Fantastic Spiral ($7) finished third in last week’s Megastar Prelude, but that was his first run over the 520m in almost two months.
He has four wins and two minor placings from six visits to Dapto and Fletcher believes his greyhound will be sharpened from last week’s run.
Veteran Bessy Boo ($8) trialled well here last week in 29.62 and is in career-best form, with five wins and six minor placings from his last 11 starts.
Whittaker (box two, $11), last week’s Megastar Prelude winner Aphorism (box six, $8) and box eight’s Miss Sueko ($13), who replaced the scratched Rue De Kahn, complete the field.
The final is one of the biggest NSW races of the year and headlines a great night’s racing at Dapto.
For Dapto Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 1 Greyhound-data.com Megastar Box Draw: 1. Fantastic Dotty 2. Whittaker 3. Fantastic Spiral 4. Bessy Boo 5. Keybow 6. Aphorism 7. Flash Reality 8. Miss Sueko.
Prices correct at the time of writing.
