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Consistent short course greyhound Kokinakas Valley makes his return to the Northern Rivers this evening in the Free For All Caldwell Electrical Stakes (407m, race four) at Grafton.
Bred by Des and Debbie Winters at the Northern Rivers base of Rushforth, Kokinakas Valley made his debut at Grafton – where he finished fifth – before relocating to the Central West where he built an impressive record racing for the couple’s long-term friend John Buttsworth.
While with Buttsworth, Kokinakas Valley scored nine wins from 22 starts, including a run of three straight victories in September last year.
Having now transferred back to the Winters’ kennel, Kokinakas Valley looks a good chance of scoring his 10th victory in tonight’s race where he will jump from box six.
“He has become outgraded at Bathurst so we decided to bring him back up here,” Des Winters said.
“John has trained greyhounds for us before. It’s been so exciting for us to see his progress under John –he’s done a super job with Kokinakas Valley.
“There are quality greyhounds in this race but he should have enough to win this.”
This will be Kokinakas Valley’s first competitive run since finishing fourth over the 400m at Bulli on February 22.
He has scored two victories from three previous starts from box six and Winters believes the wide draw should suit him tonight.
“If he gets a clear run then I think he will come out on top of them in the home straight,” Winters said.
“He is ideally drawn as he likes it a bit wider. He doesn’t cut to the fence so being out wide suits his racing style.
“He’s had a trial at Grafton before this race and looked good, so I’m quietly confident for this one.”
In other action at Grafton, Mitch Northfield could continue his kennel’s good run of form – which culminated in Mithcharlie Mia winning the Group 2 Richmond Oaks on Friday night – with another win tonight with Pretty Socks in race seven (407m).
Pretty Socks, who will jump from box two, has been mixing form recently but is a talented greyhound and has won four of her nine previous starts at Grafton.
Meanwhile, the Bob Merillo-trained pair Bokarm Chrissy and Bokarm Lachie look the top picks in races one and two respectively.
Bokarm Chrissy has had two placings at Grafton in her four starts so far, while Bokarm Lachie has won his last two starts at the track and looks a smart pup.
For Grafton Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
