Charlie Lamb is relishing a crack at his home town Cosmic Rumble Dubbo Gold Cup (516m) and his greyhound One Hill looks a strong chance in tonight's Heats.
The daughter of Surf Lorian and One Tree Hill jumps from box five in the third of four Heats fresh from a terrific 29.64 victory at her first look at the track last week.
With that impressive triumph last week - just .05 outside the track record - to her name, One Hill could earn her owner-trainer a long-awaited crack at this title.
"I grew up not far from Dubbo in Trangie, where my people, the Wiradjuri tribe, originated,'' Lamb said.
"After attending primary school in Trangie I went to Dubbo South High School and I have always wanted to win a big race out west.
"I moved to the Newcastle area 35 years ago but until last Monday the only time I have raced at Dubbo was when I took a dog called Charlie Vogue there three decades ago and he won by a big space.
"The timing has never been right for me to have starter in the Dubbo Cup so while I'm thrilled at just having a couple of runners at the carnival it would be out of this world to win the final.''
Last week's triumph took one Hill's record to a consistent 10 wins and 16 minor placings from 35 races.
The daughter of 2007 Group 1 Paws Of thunder winner One Tree Hill has won three of her last six starts and has won twice and placed twice on her five previous starts wearing the yellow rug.
Rose Petal Zarr (box seven), a last start winner at Wentworth Park, looks the biggest danger while Suzi Cargo has won three of her last five and can also challenge.
Awesome Danny (box four) has won his last three starts and looks the top pick in the first Heat.
The Wayne White-trained greyhound is making his competitive debut at Dubbo but scored a smart 29.81 win over the 520m at Dapto last start and on current form can win this.
Recent Group 1 Golden Easter Egg runner-up Brad Hill Billy has drawn box five but still looks the top pick in the second Heat.
The classy Ray Smith-trained greyhound has won 21 wins and 25 minor placings from 56 starts.
He is racing at Dubbo for the first time but with one win and five minor placings from seven starts wearing the yellow rug he should be hard to beat.
Heat four looks the toughest on paper, with Wyembah Charlie (box six) the possible one to watch.
The Colin Williams-trained greyhound has won three of his last four starts, including two over this distance at Dubbo.
He clocked an impressive 29.78 on his last visit to Dubbo and on current form can win this.
The top four from each Heat progress to this Sunday's final, which offers $15,000 to the winner.
In other Dubbo Monday action, Nangar Lass (box three, race two) and Choose Wisely (box two, race three) are class performers and look capable of saluting.
For Dubbo Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
