New surroundings have helped Activator enjoy a terrific 2016 and trainer Tania Thomas is confident he can continue that form at Saturday’s Mandurah meeting.
The in-form son of Krackenator and Flying Typhoon jumps from box two in the night’s opening race, the Free For All Saturday $39 Buffet Stakes (405m), aiming for a third consecutive victory.
Activator’s run of good form stretches back further, with six wins and a placing in 10 starts since the turn of the year.
He has scored two wins and a placing from four previous starts with the checks and after scoring a win from box eight last week, Thomas is confident of another triumph this week.
“You’ve got to think he’s a big danger,” she said.
“I was a little surprised he won last week. You’ve got a lot of work to do to win from box eight (at Mandurah) and need to be two or three lengths ahead of the field to get across.
“I think he only jumps when he hears the lure as well, so being on the inside again now should obviously help with that.
“I think he’s a good chance of winning.”
Activator looks the top pick in a race where others are struggling for best form.
Former Victorian Ollie Bale (box three) is a class performer but still looks slightly rusty from a recent two-month break, while Yoyo (box six) is also dangerous but has been mixing form recently.
Always a consistent greyhound with 22 wins and 15 minor placings from in 46 starts, Activator is currently enjoying some of the best form of his career.
“I moved properties about three weeks ago and all my greyhounds seem happier now,” Thomas said.
“I also dropped him back in grades as I didn’t want him to get disheartened racing against high-quality greyhounds and that’s done the trick.
“He’s such a lovely greyhound – you’d want two or three like him in your kennel – and he’s just a good all-round performer.”
Kennelmates Starlight Bella and Romeo’s Comet had mixed fortunes last week but both can score wins in races three and four.
Starlight Bella (box two) finished seventh last week but had won four of six prior to that and will relish being close to the rail.
Romeo’s Comet (box two) has won three of his last four starts and has a super recent record over the 490m.
Scooby Who (box one) has scored three wins from five starts so far, including a smart last start triumph, and looks ideally drawn in box one to win race 10 over the 405m.
For Mandurah Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
