George Dailly believes four could again be the magic number for Dawkins Bale in this Saturday's Group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg (520m).
Last year’s runner-up (pictured) is the joint $3 favourite for this Saturday's $250,000-to-the-winner decider at Wentworth Park with Sportsbet after his impressive victory in the semi-finals.
After only qualifying from the previous week's heats in third place, the Victorian star won his semi-final by two-and-three-quarter lengths with a scorching 29.71 run from box four.
He has the same draw in the decider and kennel spokesman George Dailly, brother-in-law for trainer Andrea, believes it suits Dawkins Bale perfectly.
"I don't mind that box at all," he said. "Maybe it's my stupidity, but my greyhounds seem to come out more cleanly at Wentworth Park when they have that draw.
"I have no idea at all why that might be – it’s just my experience.
"He’ll have to jump as well as he did as he did in the semi-finals. It’s such a good field that I cannot see him winning if he does fall behind.
"We've got him as good as we can and he's ready to go."
Dawkins Bale looks to be hitting peak form at the right time, with last Saturday's success taking his record to five wins and three minor placings in his last eight starts.
A consistent performer since debuting in November 2014, he now has 19 wins and 18 minor placings from his 52 outings and four victories and three minor placings from 10 starts wearing the blue rug.
Fellow Victorian Moreira">Moreira (box one, $3 with Sportsbet) shares the favourite tag after his impressive 29.93 victory in the semi-finals and then securing the prized rails draw for the decider.
A member of the gun Jason Thompson kennel, he has scored six wins and two minor placings from his last 10 starts.
"Yes, Moreira is probably the biggest threat," Dailly said. “He’s a very strong greyhound and if he gets two lengths in front of Dawkins Bale, we'll be in trouble.
"I think 29.70 is probably the fastest Dawkins Bale can go so if they are quicker than that, he'll be seeing a few in front of him."
As part of ‘Team Dailly’ – Australia’s leading kennel – George has become accustomed to competing in Australia’s biggest races.
“I wouldn’t say I get nervous before these finals now,” he said. “It’s quite exciting, especially when you one among the leading favourites and you’ve got a real chance of winning.
“Our job is to prepare our greyhounds to the best of their ability and I’d say that challenge is the best part of it all.”
Brad Hill Billy ($7 with Sportsbet) won his semi-final in 29.85 and with four wins and five minor placings from nine previous starts with the checks looks a decent value chance.
Rare Pearl (box three, $10), Knight Sprite (box five, $5.50), Asa Killa Queen (box six, $10), Blue Revolver (box seven, $26) and Mitcharlie Mia (box eight, $11) complete the field.
The Group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg is part of a fantastic night's racing at Wentworth Park featuring six finals.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
For Sportsbet's markets on Saturday's Wentworth Park racing, click here.
