Hexham trainer Gayle Masterson believes her greyhound Knight Sprite looks ideally drawn to claim this Friday's Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Gosford Cup (515m).
Knight Sprite jumps from box seven in the high-quality $40,000-to-the-winner final fresh from his scorching 29.40 victory in last week's heats from box three.
The move to the wider box looks perfect for Masterson's greyhound, though, who has won four of his six previous starts with the black rug.
He also loves his trips to the NSW Central Coast track, having now won on his last four visits to Gosford.
Knight Sprite was one of the last greyhounds to be picked in last Friday's box draw for the final - and Masterson was happy with the outcome.
"We wanted either the four or the seven, so that's fine," she said. "He can win from anywhere, but his record shows that he loves the seven.
"I wasn't that surprised by the run because he loves coming here and was just looking really sharp.
"I've no idea why he loves Gosford so much but it definitely agrees with him. Hopefully, he can get one more win here on Friday."
Masterson's greyhound recorded a sizzling sectional of 16.64 - just 0.01 outside the track best - while winning by four-and-three-quarter lengths last Friday.
Knight Sprite's emergence as a NSW star was one of the real 'feel good' stories of racing in 2015.
After developing his racing skills on non-TAB tracks at Wauchope and Taree, he became a multiple Wentworth Park winner and has built an impressive record of 20 wins and 14 minor placings from 44 starts.
The son of Magic Sprite and Jaydo's Neglect has yet to win a Group title but finished fourth in the recent Group 3 John Stollery Memorial Christmas Gift at Wentworth Park.
He has also been Masterson's best greyhound in some 30 years of training and has become an idol for her whole family.
"He's given us so much pleasure with what he's done this year," Masterson said. "I've had the time of my life with him and my whole family love him to bits.
"He has gone close before in these big races. Hopefully this time he can go that little bit better."
There are plenty of other chances in the Cup final, however, including devastating heat winner CASH In Motion, who will jump from box one in Friday’s feature event.
After a lean recent spell, CASH In Motion returned to top form by crossing brilliantly from box eight to win her heat in 29.39.
A winner of October's Group 2 Ipswich Gold Cup, CASH In Motion has an impressive five wins from six starts jumping from box one.
Smart Missile (box two) was two-and-a-half-lengths behind CASH In Motion in the heats but has the quality to turn the tables in the decider and must be considered.
Best value chance looks like Head Shy (box three), who was a surprise 32.50 winner in the heats.
He has won all five of his previous starts wearing the white rug and has won on his last three visits to Gosford.
The Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Gosford Cup will headline a terrific night's racing at the NSW Central Coast track this Friday.
Gosford Cup Box Draw: 1. CASH In Motion 2. Smart Missile 3 Head Shy 4. Black Frenzy 5. Mitcharlie Mia 6. Irish Gangsta 7. Knight Sprite 8. Eva Diva. Reserves: 9. Ritza Rossi 10. Fab Surfy.
