One of the most anticipated debuts in some time will take place at Bulli on Friday night with exciting newcomer Elantris making his first race start in a heat of the Graham Gibbons Memorial (472m).
Elantris has been described by renowned educator Peter Sims, who broke the greyhound in, as the as the fastest he has educated and he backed up the talk with a devastating 26.10 performance trial over the 472m at Bulli in January.
The son of Swift Fancy and Socozie will jump from box three in the second of the maiden heats and trainer John Callaughan is quietly confident.
“I think he has a fair future ahead of him,” Callaughan said.
“Everything is on track right now.
“There’s always the question mark about whether he can handle a full field - we will find out - but at this stage he’s doing Everything right.
“He’s a lovely greyhound to handle and I am confident he can handle this one.”
Elantris’s litter brother Et Cetera, who is trained by Judith Fisher, is also competing in the heats and will jump from box five in the third heat (race nine).
Et Cetera has had three trials at Bulli in the lead-up to his race debut, with the last one a 26.38 victory over the 472m.
The top two from each Graham Gibbons Memorial heat as well as the two fastest third place finishers will qualify for the $12,000 final which will take place on February 19.
Callaughan, meanwhile, could be in line to land a training double at Bulli on Friday with his other greyhound Willy Do looking a good chance in the 1300 Ladbrokes 1-4 Wins Final (400m, race seven).
Willy Do, who will jump from box seven, has won and placed on his two previous visits to Bulli and was an impressive 22.82 winner over the 400m at Gosford on his last start.
“There’s plenty of pace on the inside but he’s not too badly drawn,” Callaughan said. “He likes to use a bit of the track and Bulli certainly suits him.
“It’s certainly a tough race but he won in good time at Gosford and I think he can win this.”
In other Bulli Friday action, Where Art Thou looks the pick from box eight in the night’s fifth race (590m) as she steps up to the middle distances.
Where Art Thou has never started from box eight but has been running good times over the 520m and finishing strongly.
She will likely be tested by Zipping Carter (box two), who is a strong finisher and is racing well.
For Bulli Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
