Exciting newcomer Megsie Marble went close to a track record in the Group 3 Classicbet Nowra Summer Puppy Classic (520m) heats and Jason Buckley believes she could improve further in today’s semi-finals.
The daughter of High Earner and Secret Marble jumps from box three in second semi-final of the $25,000-to-the-winner series looking the one to beat after her sparkling 29.54 heat win last week.
That win from box two - just .04 outside Aphorism's track record - followed her smart 29.89 win over the 520m at Dapto on March 17 and an eye-catching 29.82 performance trial at the Illawarra track.
Kennel spokesman Jason Buckley, son of owner-trainer Merv, said he was expecting another strong display from Megsie Marble today.
“It wasn’t such a surprise that she went so well,” he said. “She trialled 29.60 the week before so we knew she could go well with a clear run.
“We broke her in terrific but then she came on season for a while, so she’s still working her way up to her best form.
“Box three should suit her and if the track is fine then she can certainly go even better. I think it’s really up to her how well she goes but I think she could improve."
Megsie Marble looks to be following the footsteps of kennelmate Black’s A Marble, who has been a kennel star with 11 wins from 21 starts since July last year.
Buckley's greyhound looks the clear top pick in this semi-final, although Bulkender (box two) ran a sound 29.87 last week and could threaten from this draw.
Buckley also said Megsie Marble’s sibling Ginger Marble (box four) could be a decent value chance in the first semi-final.
She finished second in last week’s heats in a smart 30.25 but faces a tough field including likely challengers Sassy Pose (box two) and Fantastic Polar (box eight).
The improving Martam Gold (box seven) ran 29.88 behind Megie Marble last week and looks a big danger.
“I think Ginger Marble has the tougher of the two heats but she did well from the same draw last week,” Jason Buckley said.
“She should have won last week but got hampered on the first turn. If she gets a clear run then she can be in the mix.
“She has gone 29.90 so she can definitely run and if she puts it together then I think she’s a chance.”
In other Nowra Monday action, Camden Gossip (box five) looks the day’s best bet in race eight.
The Doug Rogers-trained greyhound finished fourth on her last start at Wentworth Park but is a class performer on her day and has won two of her four visits to Nowra.
Kayla-Jane Coleman has been enjoyed notable success in 2016 and the trainer should score another win with promising newcomer Forlano (box one), who looks ideally drawn to take out race one over the 365m.
For Nowra Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
