Gayle Masterson believes Knight Sprite is perfectly primed for tonight’s Group 1 Crownbet Dapto Megastar (520m).
The multiple Group winner (pictured) jumps from box four in tonight’s $75,000-to-the-winner decider looking to further extend his impressive record of 28 wins and 21 minor placings from 63 starts.
Knight Sprite has never raced competitively at Dapto but clocked a sound 29.84 in a performance trial last week.
Owner-trainer Masterson faces another long journey from her Hunter Valley base of Hexham to the Illawarra track but believes it could be a successful trip.
“He had a few weeks off but I was happy with the run last week,” she said. “He never seems to put maximum effort into his trials so I think he can improve on race night.
“The guys down there (watching his trial) were saying, ‘your greyhound knows how to rail’ which sums him up well I think.
“The travelling never bothers him as he loves having the back of our van to himself.
“He is fit, happy and ready to go.”
Knight Sprite has enjoyed a super year for Masterson, winning the Group 2 Gosford Cup and the Group 2 Richmond Derby and taking his career prize money earnings to almost $200,000.
He has the eye-catching record of three wins and a placing from five previous starts from box four and is in decent form, with two wins and a placing in his last five starts.
Knight Sprite will have to overcome a classy field of contenders spearheaded by Ritza Lenny, the recent Group 2 Bob Payne Spring Sprint winner who looks to have drawn favourably in box one.
“It’s such a tough race but I don’t think it matters where mine is drawn as he has so much pace,” Masterson said.
“Ritza Lenny is a super greyhound but sometimes his box manners aren’t great, so box one might not be such a great advantage for him.
“Knight Sprite will certainly give his best. He doesn’t like any greyhound going to the boxes ahead of him and he certainly doesn’t like them racing ahead of him.
“One thing’s for sure – if he wins you’ll hear me shouting across New South Wales.”
Ritza Lenny (box one) will likely start hot favourite, with his recent success extending his career record to 14 wins and six minor placings from 27 starts.
He has won three times and placed once in four previous starts from box four
Pantera Nera (box seven), the sole interstate challenger involved, has won two Group title recently and has triumphed on 16 of his last 20 starts.
The former NSW greyhound has won once and placed twice at Dapto so knows the track and with his terrific recent record looks a big danger.
Maya Herrera won last week’s Megastar Prelude in a smart 29.88, while Let It Develop (box eight) won the recent Group 3 Canberra Cup and has won two of his last three races at Dapto.
Three-time Group race winner Black Bear Lee (box two), Magic Spring (box five) and Pedro Cerrano in box six complete the field.
The Megastar is race six on the card at Dapto and jumps at 9.08pm (NSW).
For Dapto Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
