Track record holder Fast Times looks the one to beat in tonight’s $20,000-to-the-winner Ladbrokes Up For The Challenge Maiden Classic (420m) at Ladbrokes Park Lismore.
The exciting newcomer is one of two chances for gun Queensland trainer Tony Brett in the decider, one of the biggest races of the year at the NSW Northern Rivers track.
Fast Times (box five) set a new track record for the 420m with his all-the-way semi-final win in 23.52 while kennelmate Flying Sparkles (box three) also led from start to finish, cruising home by eight-and-three-quarter lengths and clocking 23.84.
Brett has had a stellar year, with his greyhounds winning the Brisbane Cup, Ipswich Cup, Gold Coast Cup, Richmond Puppy Riches, Townsville Cup, Ipswich Futurity, Vince Curry Memorial and the Young Guns.
He took out the quinella in the Group 1 Brisbane Cup on December 8 when Thirty Talks defeated Zabdon Ferrari After that pair had finished first and second in the Group 3 Ipswich Cup on November 26.
Brett trains Fast Times and Flying Sparkles for Australian rugby league test and premiership winning Manly Sea Eagles centre Terry Hill.
"Flying Sparkles broke in quicker than Fast Times but a seasonal condition set her preparation back,” Brett said. “She could improve by the final, but at this stage Fast Times is definitely faster.''
Brett's dynamic duo are unlikely to have things easy however as the trainers of Grand Prix Dryva (box eight) and Soltador (box one), who won their semi-finals in 23.77 and 23.85 respectively, believe their charges can go better.
"In his semi Grand Prix Dryva did not jump as well as he usually does, " trainer Andrew Monaghan said. "He is normally a lid-pinger.
"Until last Tuesday, he had won each of three performance and qualifying trials by leading throughout and his semi represented the first time Grand Prix Dryva had been behind another dog.
"I train Grand Prix Dryva for Tweed Heads breeder Terry Vardy, a long-time client who has had a lot of bad luck with his dogs and deserves a change of fortune.''
When she won her Lismore semi, Soltador was having her first race since early July when she led before being run down by Nangar Range in a heat of the 407m Grafton Maiden Classic.
"Nangar Range went on to win the final but Soltador was on the sidelines After injuring a toe,'' trainer Mathew Reid said. “After getting back into work she came in season so it has been a long road getting Soltador into this Lismore final.
"Soltador's grand-dam Do That was a good greyhound my father DENIS and I trained, but her mother never raced. Because of that we bought Soltador and two of her siblings for only $1100 apiece.''
Tuesday's other finalists, with their semi times in brackets, were Blake's Turn (23.78), Terra Torra (23.88), Lucky Call (24.14) and Fab Dooley (24.25).
The final is race seven of 10 on the card at Lismore.
For Ladbrokes Park Lismore Tuesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
