Second Line will have a healthy cheer squad at Bathurst this afternoon when he goes up against a line-up of crack western district greyhounds in the Shakey Jakey @ Stud Orange Cup (520m).
The greyhound is owned by 10 western districts harness racing drivers and trainers, with the syndicate headed by champion Group 1-winning reinsman Matt Rue.
The Rod McDonald-trained greyhound was a close runner-up to All A Blaze in the fastest of last week's heats of the $4,000-to-the-winner cup and, despite being the veteran of 63 starts, McDonald insists his greyhound is going “better than ever”.
“Second Line is trialling as well as, if not better than, when he won at Wentworth Park in 29.78 (seconds) in May last year,” the Cowra trainer said. “He has simply been racing without luck.
“He has box six in the Cup but the draw may not be too bad because Isabel Enlim, who has good speed, has box seven, and she could hold up All A Blaze, who has drawn eight.
“Equal Ben, who has box five, does not have early speed so if Second Line comes out well he could put himself into a decent position early.
“Second Line has been in the finals of the Bathurst Soldiers’ Saddle and the Canberra and Wagga Cups, along with a couple of other big country races, so he deserves to win one.”
McDonald is also expecting strong support from his owners at today's meeting.
“Bathurst harness racing trials are on at the same time but I’m tipping they will be a bit light-on this week,’’ quipped McDonald.
Paul Braddon, who trains fastest qualifier All A Blaze, was disappointed to see his greyhound draw box eight.
“I was hoping for box one for her because she is a good railer,” Braddon said.
“All A Blaze will need to begin smartly from the outside box but I think she will run straight to the first turn. I don’t expect her to want to cross sharply to the fence.
“She can be hit or miss at box rise so I’m just hoping she can ping the lids in the Cup.”
Isabel Enlim raced wide when she was second-fastest heat winner so is well positioned in box seven.
The other strong chance in the Cup is Suzi Cargo (box two) who was a desperately unlucky second in the slowest heat after stumbling at the start.
In other Bathurst Monday action, Shoulders (box one) can win the battle of the Anthony Azzopardi-trained contenders in race seven.
Shoulders faces kennelmate Magic Earner but was a clinical 34.18 winner over the 600m at Dapto last start on January 14 and looks the best in this field.
Syd Swain can score a double with Madam Scarlet and Madam Anne, who both jump from box two in races two and three respectively.
Madam Scarlet won well over the 535m at Richmond last start and has scored two sound placings at Bathurst, while Madam Anne has won two of her last four and should also benefit from this draw.
For Bathurst Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
