CHRIS O'Brien is confident his greyhound Bulkender will appreciate a drop in class when he tackles the 5th grade Order of the Amaranth Raffle Stakes (race four, 520m) at today's Nowra meeting.
Bulkender returns to Nowra after racing predominantly at Wentworth Park over the past two months with varying results which included a win and a placing from six starts.
He will jump from box three this afternoon and will look to extend his good record over the 520m at Nowra which includes two wins from four starts, including a sizzling 29.87 victory in April in a heat of the Group 3 Puppy Classic.
That was also from box three and trainer O'Brien believes his greyhound can repeat that impressive form today.
"Yes, I think he'll win this," O'Brien said. "He is well down in grade so this should suit.
"He's been racing in tough company recently and in these harder races he’s copped a bit of trouble, so I have brought him back here hoping he can re-gain some confidence.
"He's a big greyhound weighing 37 kilos and takes a while to muster speed, but when he does he really gets going.
"I'm 100 per cent confident he should improve in this.”
With kennelmate Justifia (box one) scratched, Bulkender's closest challenger looks like Asa Hotspur (box six).
The Stephen Arnold-trained greyhound is also dropping back in class having finished seventh last start at Wentworth Park
In other Nowra Monday action, Jebrynah King looks capable of saluting in the 5th grade Premium Tyre Service Nowra Stakes (race five, 520m).
The Ruth Matic-trained greyhound is dropping back to the sprinting distance after recently running over the middle distances.
Resurgent Megsie Marble (box two) looks a strong chance of scoring another win in the 5th grade Classicbet.com.au Stakes (race six, 630m).
This year’s Group 3 Nowra Summer Puppy Classic winner won her first race is seven starts last week over the 630m and looks a potential future middle distance star.
Conamara Max (box five) can continue his flying recent form with victory in the 4/5th grade Moto Parts On The Move Stakes (race seven, 365m).
Another from the strong Matic kennel, he has won five of his last seven starts, including a 21.22 victory from box one at Nowra three starts back.
Conamara Max has only won once of his previous four starts wearing the yellow rug but in current form looks the one to back.
For Nowra Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
