Tap Out Axe could give trainer Rodney Metselaar his second feature race win in as many months in this year’s Ladbrokes Bathurst Gold Cup (520m), which begins with heats today.
The promising greyhound, who won last month's Bathurst RSL Soldiers Saddle jumps from box two in the fourth of today's heats looking a strong chance to capture the series.
Tap Out Axe failed on his last start at Wentworth Park but with a more favourable draw in this race, Metselaar is optimistic for a win today.
"Everything that could go wrong (at Wentworth Park) went wrong," Metselaar said. "He is desperate for the rail and he had the eight box, so I didn't have a lot of confidence.
"He has the two box here which will certainly suit. If he gets out okay and leads then he will be hard to stop.
"He has raced at Bathurst a few times now, including trials, so he knows and likes the place. He has matured and is improving all the time.
"It's a very hard race but he has to be considered."
Tap Out Axe's early career was hampered by injury problems but he has built a decent record, scoring three wins and four minor placings from his nine starts.
He has won one of his two starts from box two and enjoys visiting Bathurst, having scored once win and two placings in his three previous visits.
Tap Out Axe's victory in last month's $10,000-to-the-winner Soldiers Saddle was the biggest title yet for Western Sydney hobby trainer Metselaar, who works for a brick making company.
"I could barely speak at the presentation - I was an emotional wreck,” he said. "I was almost overawed by the whole thing, I was so happy.
"Tap Out Rose, one of my other greyhounds, has been going very well for Robbie Britton since I sent her down to Melbourne, so things are going really well at the moment.
“Hopefully they can continue here."
The cup series has been thrown open by the scratchings of some of the leading candidates, including Group winner Brad Hill Billy and potential bolter Benji's Friend.
In the other heats, Cicatriz is not the most reliable beginner but from box one is capable of winning the first heat.
Aqua Cheetah, box five, is debuting at Bathurst but looks a promising newcomer for John Ayoub and can win the second heat.
Old Timer, from the gun David Pringle kennel, can triumph in heat three from box two and looks a strong chance for the series.
He disappointed in the Soldier's Saddle final after two sparkling runs in the heats and semi-finals and has since scored two placings at Wentworth Park to underline his potential.
The winner and runner-up from each heat will progress to the final, which takes place on Friday, January 15.
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