The in-form Aristotle looks among the ones to watch in Friday’s Group 3 Charcoal Inn Casino Cup (484m) heats.
The well-bred son of Magic Sprite and Bellbird Park, who has placed in each of his last three starts, jumps from box three in the seventh of eight heats of the $25,000-to-the-winner series.
Aristotle has scored placings on his last two visits to Casino and also won there over the 484m in May with a smart 27.71 run.
Trainer Sonia Kempshall has been mentoring Aristotle for owner Dennis Reid for about six months and said her greyhound was in good condition for the series.
“He had some niggling problem at first, but now he’s overcome them he’s doing well,” she said.
“If you look at his record it’s generally solid and with more experience he’s got better and better. He’s running consistently, enjoying his racing and is a solid all-round greyhound.
“I’m optimistic he can run a good race and get the win.”
Aristotle’s recent good form has extended his record to a respectable 13 wins and 14 minor placings from 45 starts.
He has won twice and placed three times in seven previous starts wearing the checks and looks capable of overcoming a field including likely challengers Logger County (box two) and Joe’s Drinking in box four.
Aristotle is one of the kennel stars for Kempshall and her husband Warren, who train out of Sandy Crossing just outside Grafton.
Next Friday final coincides with the second anniversary of the couple’s wedding, which took place at the Grafton track in-between races and made international headlines.
“People said how could that be romantic, but we were surrounded by our family, our greyhound racing friends and our greyhounds,” Kempshall said. “For us, it couldn’t have been better.
“They said God moves in mysterious ways, so maybe he’ll help us mark the anniversary with a Group race win.
“If we did, you’d hear me shouting from Melbourne.”
Mitcharlie Mia (box one) looks the best bet of the Casino Cup heats in race seven.
This year’s Group 2 Richmond Oaks winner has not run since June but has won four out of four wearing the red rug and if she is anywhere near top form, she should be right in contention to take out the cup series.
Others to watch in the heats include another gun local, Mahailia (box one), who looks ideally drawn to win race two.
Recent Group 2 Black Top placegetter Maja Maja Mahi (box one) has been in strong recent form and should win race six, while classy Queenslander Hope’s Magic (box one) has won three of her last seven starts and looks the top pick in race nine.
The eight heat winners all earn berths in next Friday’s decider.
For full Casino Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
