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Track star Rudianos is shaping as a bolter for Friday night’s Group 2 Remedial Waterproofing Richmond Derby (535m) heats.
The former Victorian jumps from box four in the second of four heats of the $40,000-to-the-winner series aiming to continue his impressive record at Richmond.
Since transferring to trainer Brian Reilly’s western Sydney kennels late last year, Rudianos has scored four wins and three minor placings in seven starts – all at Richmond.
Rudianos scored a smart 30.55 victory at Richmond two starts back but has only secured one win and one placing from five previous starts from box four.
The opposition includes last month’s Gosford Gold Cup winner Knight Sprite (box seven) but Reilly is still expecting a decent run.
“This is the toughest race he has faced and his biggest test, but he’s up to this calibre,” the trainer said. “The greyhound he finished second to last start (Bearly With It) is a city winner.
“It will really depend on where he is able to position himself. He is not the best beginner but his finishes are impressive.
“He is strong and has no problems handling the distance. With the way he’s going I have to be confident.”
The Doug Rogers-bred greyhound is a littermate of Camden Gossip and Camden Valleyway, who have scored a combined 22 wins so far for Rogers.
Rudianos has been a member of Reilly’s kennel for about four months and also scored a 30.67 victory at Richmond last month.
“I had a good look at him and could see there was potential there,” Reilly said. “I think he’ll be staying with me for a while so we’ll see how he does.
“This is a hard race but on his current form he has a chance.”
Knight Sprite has scored five wins from seven starts from box seven and is in good form, having won last week’s Ladbrokes Bulli Gold Cup Consolation (472m).
Ritza Rossi (box eight, heat one) and Bessy Boo (pictured, who has box seven in heat two) look the top picks in their respective heats.
Victorian Alpha Hermes (box two), from the gun Jeff Britton kennel, has been racing well recently and looks the pick in heat four.
The night also features four heats of the Group 2 Unibond Richmond Oaks for female greyhounds.
Ones to watch include in-form Camden Gossip (box four, heat one), impressive newcomer All A Blaze (box one, heat two) and Mitcharlie Mia (box eight, heat three), who has been burning up the NSW Northern Rivers in recent months.
Good Odds Angel (box six) has won her last three starts at Wentworth Park and looks the top pick in heat four.
Both series will be concluded next Friday night as part of a terrific night’s racing at Richmond.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
For Sportsbet's odds on Richmond Friday, click here.
