Fabregal looks ideally drawn to take out Thursday night’s Group 2 Bogie Leigh Futurity (520m) at Albion Park.
The South Australian greyhound (the 1.75F with Sportsbet), who was the fastest qualifier in last week’s heats with a terrific 29.91 run from box one, wears the red rug again in the $47, 250-to-the-winner decider.
That win on her first competitive look at the Brisbane track extended Fabregal’s hugely consistent record to an impressive 14 wins and seven minor placings from 21 starts.
Trainer Robyn Mackellar said her greyhound had now matured into a terrific performer, particularly from the inside draw.
“On her first few starts she would crash OVER to the left,” Mackellar said. “OVER time, though, she’s improved coming out of the boxes.
“She’s won from every box but I prefer her inside as she’s mad for the rail.
“I was very impressed with how she ran last week and on that form, she’s a good chance.”
Last week’s victory took Fabregal’s record to two wins and three minor placings from five starts from the rails draw.
The daughter of Fabregas and Allinga Aye Jay has now won seven of her last eight starts, including a storming 29.60 effort at Angle Park last month.
“I wasn’t confident because I didn’t know how well she’d travel,” Mackellar said. “Prior to this, the furthest she’d been was 35 minutes from Angle Park.
“She’s travelled beautifully though – this is our third week up here now and she’s acclimatised fine. I’ve tried not to change her routine and just keep everything as she likes it.
“Everyone has been really helpful to us up here and that’s been the key to preparing her at her best.”
This would also be the biggest title yet for Mackellar, who works out of Lewiston and has been training for about a decade.
“I haven’t been in a Group race as big as this, so I’m excited – but quite nervous as well,” she said. “The owner is so excited as well so I’m thrilled for him.
“Hopefully she can do it.”
Sheza Keen Size (box four, $4.50 with Sportsbet) looks the toughest opponent, having compiled the solid record of 13 wins and six minor placings from 30 starts.
The Peter Ruetschi-trained greyhound ran a sizzling 29.87 at Albion Park – albeit from box one – last month.
She can be a tardy starter so this draw will not help but she is a class performer at her best.
Dokmai (box eight, $3) looks the best of NSW South Coast trainer Judith Fisher’s two contenders, having won her heat from box seven in 30.02.
The daughter of Magic Sprite and Hidden Assets has won two of her five starts wearing the pink rug but is in terrific form, with four victories from her last five starts.
Ironbar Jill (box two), Split Image (box three), Vidi Vici (box five), See Blue's Girl (box six) and Oreo's Delight in box eight complete the field.
The meeting also features three high-quality heats of the $50,0000-to-the-winner Group 2 Glen Gallon @ Stud Queensland Derby, which is open to male greyhounds whelped on or after...
Ones to watch include Fabulous Bill (box two, heat one), Windorah Jack (box two, heat two) and Dundee Osprey (box seven, heat three).
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 2 Bogie Leigh Futurity Box Draw (Sportsbet prices in brackets): 1. Fabregal ($1.75) 2. Ironbar Jill ($21) 3. Split Image ($13) 4. Sheza Keen Size ($4.50) 5. Vidi Vici ($15) 6. See Blue's Girl ($18) 7. Oreo Delight ($51) 8. Dokmai ($3). Res: 9 Feisty Fie ($31), 10. Kinloch Beach ($31)
