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War Cry looks capable of continuing his unbeaten middle distance record in the 5th grade Direct Electrical Supplies Final (race eight, 618m) at tonight’s Richmond meeting.
The Ross McDougal-trained greyhound jumps from box five in a quality decider aiming to score a third consecutive victory over this distance.
After a strong 35.69 run at Richmond two starts back on his first go over the 618m, he recorded a similarly impressive 35.79 effort at the western Sydney circuit last week.
The son of Spring Gun and El Sutro’s hot run of form includes four victories in his last six starts and Londonderry-based McDougal believes his greyhound can win again tonight.
“He’s a decent chance,” McDougal said.
“He didn’t run quite as well as I expected last week, but I think he was feeling the effects of his first race over this distance. I’ve freshened him up this week and he looks fine.
“He was hampered by illness early in his career. He had his tonsils removed a while ago and since then he’s been racing terrifically.
“His mid-race pace is exceptional so if he gets to the lead early, he should have too much for these.”
Racing entirely at Richmond so far, War Cry has built the consistent record of six wins and seven minor placings from 22 starts.
He has placed twice in three previous starts from box five and looks to have the measure of these.
Tua (box four) chased War Cry home strongly last week and looks the next best, while Husvinu (box six) is a multiple Wentworth Park winner and must be considered.
In other Richmond Friday action, hot newcomer Eygptian Pirate (box seven) looks primed to continue his unbeaten record in the 5th grade Sires On Ice 1-4 Wins Stakes (race 6, 535m).
Trained by Dawn Garrett, the early mentor of recent superstar Space Star, Egyptian Pirate made it two from two with a strong 30.71 effort last week.
Flying Mikayla (box seven) has been in hot recent form and looks the top pick in a high-calibre 4/5th grade Kevin Waters Towing Stakes (race 7, 535m).
The Lee Burke-trained greyhound failed on her last start at Wentworth Park last week but had scored two wins and four minor placings in her previous six starts prior to that.
She has won twice and placed once in four previous starts wearing the black rug and can defeat a field that includes Group race winner Fever Pitch (box six).
Tell the World (box five) has built the impressive record of four wins and four minor placings from 10 starts and can complete the quaddie with victory in the 5th grade Magic Sprite @Stud 1-4 (race eight, 535m).
A Wentworth Park winner three starts back, Tell the World won from the same box over the 535m at Richmond in August and triumphed well at Bathurst last week.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
