Warren Kempshall rates Cheeky Maxi as his kennel’s best hope in tonight’s taragreyhounds.com.au Sprint Series Final (race seven, 407m) at Grafton.
Kempshall and wife Sonia have two chances in the final, with Palazzo jumping from box six and Cheeky Maxi exiting from box seven.
Both greyhounds have good recent records, having each registered one win and three place in their last four starts respectively.
Cheeky Maxi has only had one unsuccessful previous start from box seven but has run 27.35 over this distance and Kempshall is confident he will handle the wide draw.
“I think he’s better drawn out wide,” Kempshall said. “He’s not a brilliant early beginner (and) he likes a bit of space.
“He’s young but he has heaps of ability. His only problem is that if there’s a scrimmage, he usually finds trouble.
“If he gets a clear run, he can be up there with them.
“I know how good he is and I am honestly expecting a strong run from him tonight.”
Palazzo, meanwhile, has raced solidly over the 480m at Casino over the last month prior to last week’s runner-up place behind Miss Spritely (box three).
“She’s a nice pup but she’s a little wary of others around her,” he said. “She also needs 500 metres to show her best form.
“I’d rate Cheeky Maxi as the better chance.”
The Sprint Series Final is a decent decider, with most of the finalists having winning claims.
Goodbye Hug (box four) was the fastest heat winner in 27.45 and is handy wearing the blue rug, having won twice and placed twice in four starts from box four.
In other Grafton Monday action, promising newcomer Pretty Socks (box seven) looks capable of scoring another win in race three (407m).
The daughter of El Grand Senor and Eli Norris has won five of her nine starts so far, including three victories over this trip at Grafton.
City Breeze endured a rare disappointment on her last start but can atone with victory in race four (407m).
The consistent daughter of El Grand Senor and TEQUILA Breeze (box two) has scored 14 wins and 10 minor placings from 27 starts and is also handy wearing the blue rug, with three wins from five previous start.
How’s It Crude (box seven) has won her last two starts at Grafton over the 407m and looks the pick in race eight.
For Grafton Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
