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Velvet Teddybear looks capable of being the pick of the exciting newcomers in today’s $8000-to-the-winner Pop Northfield Memorial Maiden Final (race seven, 411m) at Casino.
The Reg Gardoll-trained greyhound jumps from box one in what looks a terrific final, one of the biggest races of the year in the NSW Northern Rivers.
Velevet Teddybear cruised home from box one in his semi-finals by eight-and-a-quarter lengths, clocking a smart 23.55.
He has the rails draw for the final but face tough opposition in the form of the Darren Russell-trained Go Lassie Go (box three) who has run dazzling times of 23.38 and 23.42 in the series so far and looks tough to stop.
The Evelyn Harris kennel is firing at the moment and she looks to have a strong contender in the final with Cosmic Bonus (box six).
Cosmic Bonus is unbeaten in his two starts and ran 23.41 from box four in the semi-finals.
“Darren’s greyhound is a big chance and I think Cosmic Bonus will be a very handy greyhound,” Gardoll said.
“It’s going to come down to where they balance up going through the catching pen. If he can lead (after 100m) then he’s got a big chance.
“I’m not overly confident but I think he’ll handle the draw fine (and) he’s in contention.”
Velvet Teddybear ran 24.03 in his heat of the three-week series before producing last week’s sound display in the semi-finals.
The son of Spring Gun and Elavena has clocked two earlier decent performance trials at Casino and seems to be maturing into a handy performer.
“He seems to be getting more and more confident,” Gardoll said. “I believe in a few months he will be a very handy greyhound.
“I think 23.40 would be his absolute best at this stage in his career, but if he could run that it would give him a chance.
“My wife Elva owns Velvet Teddybear and reared him, his mother and his grandmother, so It’s lovely for her to see him racing well.
“I’ve never had a Pop Northfield winner either so we’re both facing a big day.”
In other Casino Friday action, Northern Rivers trainer Frank Hancock could score wins with La Mancha Man (race two) and Battistuzzi Miss (race five).
La Mancha Man (box three) has mixed form recently but won over the 411m at Casino in a sound 23.50 four starts back.
Battistuzzi Miss (box five) is a flying machine at her best and returned to winning ways with an impressive 23.46 triumph over the 411m last week.
Echo Gal (box two) is the Casino 620m track record holder and looks the best bet in the Palmerbet Stayers Stakes (race eight, 620m).
For Casino Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
