Hot newcomer Got A Motor looks hard to beat but Phil Goodsell believes his greyhounds Spring Creek Wil and Mornington Star could spring a surprise in tonight’s Group 3 Classicbet Nowra Spring Puppy Classic (520m).
Got A Motor jumps from box five in the $25,000-to-the-winner decider after recording a strong 29.82 run in last week’s semi-finals of the three-wreek series, making him the fastest qualifier.
The son of Collision and Sizzling Osti is the latest star for gun trainer Jodie Lord and has built the solid record of five wins and seven minor placings to his name and already has a Wentworth Park victory under his belt.
Local trainer Goodsell rugs up four contenders in the final – Spring Creek Wil (box two), Mornington Star (box six), Spring Creek Max (box seven) and Spring Creek Ann (box eight).
Springcreek Wil was a smart 30.16 winner from box six in last week’s semi-finals and with three wins in his last five starts could be peaking at the right for the decider.
Springcreek Max and Springcreek Ann look outsiders but Goodsell says both Springcreek Wil and Mornington Star must be in consideration.
“Spring Creek Wil is probably my best hope,” Goodsell said. “He’s starting to put it together and having only one greyhound inside him should help.
“He placed from box two over the 400m at Bulli and is really improving as a racer.
“Spring Creek Ann isn’t as strong as the others so could find it tough, but Mornington Star is starting to race well and could be a dark horse.
“Whoever gets to the first corner in the lead obviously has the advantage, but with this draw Wil has the best chance.”
The Christine Oldfield-trained Lucky Gambler was a sound 29.97 winner last week and looks a big threat from box one, while Shy Gambler (box four) ran 30.04 from box two in the heats and is in good hands with Kemps Creek Mentor Jason Magri.
Tough Love (box three) looks one of the outsiders for trainer Harry Markou but was a runner-up in the heats and semi-finals and must be respected.
In other Nowra Monday action, recent Group 1 Dapto Megastar winner Let It Develop (box three) looks the top pick in a high-quality Kelvin Ganderton Memorial Stakes (520m, race eight).
Another from the Lord kennel, Let it Develop is making his Nowra debut but boasts the terrific record of 29 wins and 39 minor placings from 99 starts.
Compare (box four), from the gun Christine Proctor kennel, looks the top pick in the 4th/5th grade Alan Jones Appreciation Stakes (race five, 365m).
The daughter of Barcia Bale and Cinnabar Star has mixed form recently but has largely been racing in tough company at Wentworth Park and should appreciate the drop in class for this race.
The Denice Warren-trained Lika Storm looks ideally drawn in box one to take out the third leg of the quaddie, the 4th/5th grade Premium Tyre Service Nowra Stakes (race seven, 520m).
Lika Storm has won three times and placed three times in seven previous races wearing the red rug, has a vacant box outside him and won on his last visit to Nowra in an impressive 29.92.
For Nowra Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
