Fastest heat qualifier Tweed Dancer can continue his strong recent form with victory in tonight’s feature race at Grafton.
Tweed Dancer jumps from box seven in the Ladbrokes Red Dog Final (race seven, 480m) after scoring a smart 27.45 victory from box one in last week’s heats.
That win made it six win in 10 starts for the Mark Johnston-trained greyhound and while he does his best work from inside draws, Tweed Dancer has won once and placed once from box seven and looks capable of saluting in this.
“He’s a determined little fellow,” Johnston said.
“Last week was his best performance at Grafton and certainly the 480m is about his distance.
“I have two concerns – the box draw and the fact that it’s later race. Both are unsuitable for him. It’s also a harder race than last week, but he can do it.”
Tweed Dancer triumphed over the 420m at Ladbrokes Park Lismore on December 6 before the three-and-three-quarter length win at Grafton last week.
Harperama (box eight), from the strong Dave Irwin kennel, has won five of her first six starts and looks the strongest challenger to Tweed Dancer.
In other Grafton action tonight, Velvet Teddybear (box one) looks the night’s best bet in the first of five heats of the AB Casey Memorial Series (race three, 407m).
The Reg Gardoll-trained newcomer caught the eye in the recent Pop Northfield Memorial Classic at Casino, scoring an impressive 23.55 victory over the 411m circuit in the semi-finals.
He was below-par in the final on October 7 and has not raced since, but looks a smart prospect should have too much for this company.
Shakin' All Over (box seven) scored his maiden victory on his seventh start last week and can score another win in the second AB Casey Memorial heat (race four).
The son of Wentworth Park 520m track record holder Shakey Jakey and Surf On Tap clocked a sound 23.79 from box eight last week and a repeat would likely win this.
Black Hoodie (box six) is one of the stars from the gun kennel of trainer Sonia Kempshall kennel and looks the best bet in the Ladbrokes Live Betting Stakes (race six, 480m).
Black Hoodie placed last week with a smart 27.49 run and is racing consistently, with three wins and five minor placings from her last 10 starts.
For Grafton Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
