Bob Monelli can make a favourable draw count in Saturday’s feature race at Mandurah.
The son of Cosmic Chief and Fantasy Monelli jumps from box one in the $12,500-to-the-winner decider (490m, race four) chasing a third win in four starts and a 12th success from 44 starts overall.
After finishing last two starts back at Mandurah, Bob Monelli returned to form with a thrilling victory in last week’s heats, edging out fellow qualifiers Armani and Cobra Clutch in a photo finish.
He has won four and placed four times in eight previous starts wearing the red rug and trainer David Hobby believes the red rug offers his greyhound a decent chance.
“Obviously box one is a bonus anywhere, but especially over the 490m at Mandurah,” he said. “You have the small run to the first turn starting on the bend and if you get trapped in the middle you get squeezed up a lot of the time.
“He’s not the fastest greyhound in the race but he’s very solid out of box one and it should help him.”
This is a tough final, with most of the field having claims.
Cobra Clutch (box six) is in good form and will be tough to beat if he leads, while Royal Freddie (box four) has mixed form recently but won last week in 27.70.
West On Dossy (box two) has placed on each of his seven starts wearing the checks and also looks a danger.
Bob Monelli ran 27.67 last week – just 0.01 outside his best – and won from the inside box in 27.82 last month.
“He doesn’t have a lot of mid-race speed but he’s pretty strong and reasonably good early,” Hobby said.
“I was surprised he held out Cobra Clutch last week but he’s a decent greyhound and he has as good a chance as anyone in this race.”
In other Mandurah Saturday action, Fun Boss continued his stunning form with another super victory last week and looks the top pick in the night’s Free For All Brittons Formal Wear (race four, 490m).
Lexia Isaac’s greyhound (box three) won in a super 27.28 last week and has won three of his five previous starts from this draw.
Activator (box four) has won four of his last seven starts and looks the night’s best bet in race nine (405m).
Tania Thomas’s greyhound has won seven of his 11 previous starts from box four and with 20 wins and 15 minor placings from 44 starts, looks tough to beat.
Emily’s Sweet and Serena Fly High both look ideally drawn with the red rug to win races three and five respectively.
For Mandurah Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
