Gun Queensland greyhound Leeroy Roller is being aimed for a possible crack at the forthcoming Group 2 Richmond Derby but trainer Jeff Crawford is ”optimistic” his greyhound can first score a win at Thursday night’s Albion Park meeting.
Leeroy Roller jumps from box two in the Garrard’s Horse and Hound Stakes (race eight, 520m) aiming to extend his record of nine wins and three minor placings from 18 starts.
After scoring a smart victory at Albion Park two starts back, Leeroy Roller finished seventh from box five on four days later after being badly checked at the first corner.
He has scored six wins in nine previous to Albion Park and has won once and placed once in three previous starts wearing the checks.
With a more favourable draw in this race, he should be able to overcome in-form General Cloud (box one), who looks best of the rest.
“He definitely likes being closer to the rail and certainly wants and needs to be,” Crawford said.
“He will have to be at his best to win this (but) physically he seems there so I am going in to this optimistic.”
Leeroy Roller caught the eye with six wins from seven starts early in his career at Albion Park.
He had a notable trip south over December and January, scoring a sizzling 29.43 win at Dapto and a 29.92 triumph at Wentworth Park on December 5.
Crawford said he may bring his greyhound, who has an best of 29.84 at Albion Park, back south again soon.
“I’m not ruling out the Richmond Derby for him but he has to show me he is 100 per cent fit for it," he said.
“I think he’s got the ability to win a Group race somewhere, although I think he’ll eventually show his best over the 600 metres.
“He’s ticking along nicely and I’d give him a decent chance here.”
In-form Velocity Shirl (box three) looks a strong chance to back up her victory in the Group 3 Queensland Cup earlier this month in race five over the 600m.
Peter Wilson’s greyhound has scored three wins from her last four starts and ran a sizzling 34.69 at Albion Park last month.
Wilson could score another victory in the night’s opening race with Gold Diva (box three) in the night’s opening race.
Gold Diva scored a 30.33 win at Albion Park on January 18 before improving with a 30.27 success a week later.
Mitcharlie Mia (box one) is unbeaten at Albion Park and looks ideally drawn to continue that run of success at Thursday’s Albion Park meeting.
The classy NSW Northern Rivers greyhound jumps from box one in the Sky Racing Stakes (race seven, 520m) aiming a hat-trick of victories in race seven over the 520m.
She extended her record to 14 wins and 10 minor placings from 30 starts with last week’s victory and has won all three of her previous starts from box three.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
