Acheron can return to WA racing in style with victory in the Greyhounds WA Christmas Gift (race eight, 715m) at Cannington on Saturday night.
The consistent son of Velocette and Abbadale Elle, one of WA’s top stayers of 2016, jumps from box four in the high-quality $14,850-to-the-winner decider.
Acheron was an impressive heat winner in the recent Group 3 Summer Cup at Wentworth Park but could not make an impression in the final on December 10, finishing eighth.
This is his first run since then but he has won three of his four previous starts at Cannington and trainer Steve Withers is expecting an improved display in this race.
“I think he may have hit his head on the boxes (at Wentworth Park),” he said. “He’s never been left three lengths behind at the start like that before.
“It’s a tough race. Ramifications in box three has been running well in Melbourne recently and looks a tough chance.
“Box four has never been kind to him and it’s a tough race but given the right room he can make an impression and should be around the action.
“Can he win? It will be tough but he’s a chance.”
Acheron triumphed over the 715m at Cannington on November 19 in 42.53 and scored an impressive 42.06 victory over this trip last month.
A winner of more than $80,000 prize money, the consistent greyhound has won 17 times and placed on another 29 occasions from 66 starts.
Olivia Benson (box seven) has been in great form recently and is a genuine stayer of class ability, while Teddy Monelli (box five) is also worthy of consideration.
In other Cannington Saturday action, Kalden Kamanchee (box three) looks a strong chance in the 5th grade Love The Chase Stakes (520m, race seven).
The Ben Abercrombie-trained greyhound produced a strong run to win over the 600m at Cannington last week and placed over this trip on December 3.
Penny Monelli (box three) has helped gun trainer David Hobby enjoy a stellar year and she can salute again in the high-quality Free-For-All Fireworks On NYE (race seven, 520m).
The consistent daughter of Magic Sprite and Fantasy Monelli finished an unlucky fifth over this trip last week but has won 15 victories and five minor placings from 26 starts.
She has triumphed on four of her last seven starts and is usually a formidable opponent at Cannington, so looks capable of winning this.
Former standout Victorian Sausage Sizzle (box three) looks a good chance in the 4/5th grade Get the TABTouch (race nine, 600m).
Formerly in the kennel of gun trainer Brett Bravo and now with mentor Jamie Marsh, Sausage Sizzle produced his top form to win over the 520m at Cannington last week in 30.23.
For Cannington Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
