Nero Bolt will be looking to recapture the form that saw him represent Western Australia in August’s National Sprint Championships when he lines up at Mandurah on Saturday night.
The Nick Minutillo-trained greyhound jumps from box one in the sixth of the Group 2 All Stars Sprint heats (490m, race seven) where he will aim for an 18th win in 39 starts.
Nero Bolt has not experienced the best of luck since returning from the National Championships in Sydney, failing to finish in the placings in three starts at Mandurah.
However, with a favourable draw on Saturday night, Minutillo is expecting a bold showing. Nero Bolt has an impressive record from box one, with five wins from seven previous starts wearing the red rug.
“Box one should be a tremendous help here,” Minutillo said.
“When you are drawn wide at Mandurah it’s hard, especially when there is good pace on the inside.
“We gave him some time off after the Nationals and the wide draws he’s had since returning have not been helpful. This draw will definitely suit him better. He’s looking good and he should put on a good show.”
Nero Bolt has enjoyed a successful 2015 in which he registered six successive victories, including a win in the WA Sprint Final that qualified him for the Group 1 National Sprint Championship.
Starting as a $29 shot, Nero Bolt produced a brave effort in Sydney to eventually finish fourth in the decider behind winner Fernando Bale.
“He was a little unlucky,” Minutillo said.
“He just got pushed off the first corner. (But) just to be part of that night and racing against greyhounds like Fernando Bale was brilliant. It’s the sort of thing you want in any sport, but especially greyhound racing.”
In other races on the Mandurah card, Tureaud (box two) can bounce back to winning ways after disappointing in last week’s Group 3 Mandurah Cup decider with victory in the second heat of the All Stars Sprint (race three).
Paul Stuart’s greyhound was the $2.90 favourite for the decider but found trouble early and eventually finished seventh.
He has won three from three wearing the checks.
Kennelmate Romeo’s Comet (box one) looks a good chance in heat three, having won an incredible nine of his 10 previous starts wearing the red rug.
Exciting newcomer Who’s Got Snoop (box three) can win a tough fifth heat (race six)
The son of Cosmic Rumble and Pakenham Lass has won eight of his first 10 starts so far, including a terrific 27.32 effort here last month.
There are six heats of the All Stars Sprint, with the first at 10.27pm (AEST).
The $40,000-to-the-winner series concludes next Saturday.
For Mandurah Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
