Cosmic Backstep will line up in an open grade race at Grafton this evening as she continues her preparation for a tilt at the Group 2 Richmond Oaks.
The Peter SIMPSON-trained greyhound jumps from box six in the Caldwell Electrical Stakes (407m, race five) aiming to repeat her impressive victory at the NSW Northern Rivers track last week.
In that event, Cosmic Backstep led most the way from box seven to win in a best of night 22.88.
She moves to box six tonight but with two wins and a placing from four starts wearing the green rug, SIMPSON thinks she can his greyhound can win again.
“I couldn’t be happier with her,” he said.
“She’s jumping out of her skin. Price Rise (in box eight) is the big threat as he ran a good race finishing two lengths behind her last week. He went a bit wide at the final corner which didn’t help his chances.
“Overall, though, I have to be confident.”
Cosmic Backstep won five consecutive races in November and also has a solid record at Grafton, with two wins and four minor placings from seven previous visits.
She had her first trip to Wentworth Park for a heat of last month’s National Futurity but paid for a slow start and finished sixth.
Last week’s run showed that she is back firing ahead of a crack at the Richmond Oaks, which kicks off with heats on February 26.
“She was a little off-colour over the last few weeks, but she seems fine now,” SIMPSON said.
“She looked brilliant heading to the track last week so I wasn’t that surprised with how well she went.
“We’ll see how she goes these next couple of weeks and possibly look at the Oaks with her. She’s seen plenty of tracks now and put in decent runs wherever she’s gone. We love heading south with our greyhounds so I have no fears with her.”
Meanwhile, impressive newcomer Nangar Thunder steps up to the 484m in race six race aiming to continue his unbeaten record.
The DAVE Irwin-trained greyhound, who scored a third consecutive victory over the 407m last week, looks ideally drawn in box one to make it four wins from four.
Slender Jappa (box three) has been running well recently for the local Kempshall kennel and can score a win in the night’s opening race over 305m.
He dropped back in distance to the 305m last week and scored a commanding 17.57 triumph and from this draw looks tough to beat.
Rodman ran well to finish second behind Nangar Thunder last week and can go one better from box three in race 10 (407m).
For Grafton Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
