Recent Group 1 Vic Peters Classic placegetter Benteke and exciting newcomer Shiny Bright headline Thursday night's Group 3 Dapto Crownbet Puppy Auction Classic (520m) heats.
In-form Sharp Gambler and hot local Springcreek Bill also look stAndout chances among the eight heats of the $75,000-to-the-winner series at the NSW South Coast track.
Former NSW boom pup Benteke (pictured, who has box two in heat seven), now in the hands of Victorian trainer Bret Bravo, also looks a major contender for the series.
He has built the impressive record of eight wins and six minor placings from 19 starts and finished third in last month’s Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park behind winner Ando's Mac.
Benteke was fifth in a tough Melbourne Cup heat at SAndown Park last Friday night but looks well drawn and is in decent form, with two wins and two minor placings in his last six starts.
Shiny Bright (box two, heat eight), is the latest hot newcomer for gun western Sydney trainer Dean Swain and looks a strong contender for the series.
The daughter of Barcia Bale and Dozen Oysters ran a sizzling 29.63 over the 520m at Dapto last month from box five and also won on the same track on debut.
Other attractive chances to watch in the three-week series include Sharp Gambler (box two, heat one), who has won four of his last five starts and Springcreek Bill (box one, heat six), who has clocked 29.93 at Dapto and has won two of his three starts from box one.
Best decent value chance for the series looks like Topper Teretto, who jumps from box four in heat one.
Topper Teretto has built the decent career record of six wins and eight minor placings from 22 starts.
He is trained by former top NSW and now Victorian-based mentor Anthony Azzopardi, who scored a win in last year’s Classic with France Soir.
Four semi-finals will take place next Thursday, with the final on Thursday, December 1.
For Dapto Thursday fields and form, click here.
