Patience is paying off for Mario Azzopardi with his promising greyhound Myrniong Blaster looking a strong chance to salute again at Richmond tonight.
Myrniong Blaster jumps from box six in the 5th grade Racing To A Respected Future Stakes (race five, 535m) aiming for a fifth win from his first 10 starts.
After scoring three smart wins at Dapto – including a 29.87 victory from box five on December 1 – Myrniong Blaster triumphed at Richmond over the 535m on December 9 in a solid 30.86.
He moves to box six for this race and faces some tricky opposition but Azzopardi believes his greyhound could show further improvement.
“I think he’s starting to show what he can do,” Azzopardi said.
“I don’t want to get over-confident, but I believe with a clear run and a good start he’s capable of running 30.60 over this.
“I’m not worried about the draw as I have schooled him from boxes five and six. He won from box six on his debut at Dapto as well.
“He looks a strong chance.”
Myrniong Blaster spent a month on the sidelines after a bout of kennel cough and struggled to find his best form upon his initial return before scoring an impressive 29.90 victory at Dapto on November 24. The greyhound has almost been unstoppable since then winning at his next two starts.
“I think the kennel cough knocked him back a bit,” Azzopardi said.
“I gave him some more box work and he’s come back racing well. In greyhound racing I’ve learned that sometimes you need to have a lot of patience.
“I’m going to try and build his confidence up in 5th grade races and then maybe have a look at some of the bigger races if he continues like this.
“He’s certainly one I think has a lot of potential.”
In other Richmond action on Friday night, Struggle Street (box eight) looks the one to beat in the 4/5th grade NYE Race Night December 31 (race four, 618m) heat.
The Sam Sultana-trained greyhound has scored three wins and four minor placings from seven previous starts wearing the pink rug and saluted over this trip three starts back in an impressive 35.66.
Milwaukee (box five) was a brilliant 29.59 winner over the 515m on debut at Unibet Gardens on December 17 and looks the top chance in the 5th grade #Richmond_Greys (1 Win Only) Stakes (race six, 535m).
Explosive Ally (box three) can continue his strong current form with victory in the 4/5th grade Remembering Noel Barnes Stakes (race seven, 535m).
The George Tyrpenou-trained greyhound has won four of her last seven starts – all over the 535m at Richmond – and clocked 30.88 winning here on December 9.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
