Jimmy Madigan is confident in-form greyhound Goodbye Hug can make the long trip to Albion Park on Thursday worthwhile.
The daughter of Dyna Lachlan and Shy Shazoni jumps from box two in the Brisgreys Stakes (race 10, 520m) aiming for a fifth win in her last six starts.
After back-to-back wins over the 520m at Lismore, Goodbye Hug scored her latest victory over the 411m at Casino last Friday with a commanding two-and-a-half length triumph.
Madigan, who is based at Junction Hill close to Grafton in the NSW Northern Rivers, believes she can maintain that impressive form at the Brisbane track.
“Albion Park is a tricky track and this is the first time she’s travelled so far, but I think she can go well,” he said.
“She jumps better from the outside boxes which may put some people off (backing her) but she’s a beautiful railer and this draw should suit her.
“I won’t travel four hours (to a meeting) unless I think we’ve got a chance and I expect her to win prize money of some from in this race.”
Goodbye Hug won on her debut at Grafton in June last year and has maintained her good form since then across various distances.
Racing exclusively in the Northern Rivers, she now has 11 wins and eight minor placings from 30 starts.
Alpha Adonis (box six) and Messidonna Cloud in box seven are both contenders but on current form Goodbye Hug looks capable of saluting.
“She’s doing very well but if you look at her record, she’s always been consistent,” Madigan said. “She’s not the strongest greyhound but her strengths are her box manners and her early speed.
“The travel time here is against her but I have to be confident.”
In other Albion Park Thursday action, Spring Dream (box four) can return to winning ways in the Garrard's Horse And Hound Stakes (race eight, 520m).
Glenn Smith’s greyhound had scored three consecutive victories over 520m prior to a fourth place at Ipswich over the 431m on February 2.
She has won five of her last seven starts at Albion Park and with one win and a placing from four starts from box four can handle the middle draw.
Cyndie’s Magic has been running solidly in recent weeks and should score a win in five over the 520m.
Bill Elson’s consistent greyhound (box two) ran a decent 30.24 last week and has won twice and placed four times in eight previous starts with the checks.
She can be slow at the start but if she can stay in the race, look for Cyndie's Magic to use her strong engine to good effect.
Elson could score a double with Abby's Magic (box six) looking a contender in race six over the 600m.
Abby’s Magic has picked up form on her last two starts and ran a strong 34.95 from box four on her last crack at the 600m last month.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
