Enzo Crudeli is confident his evergreen greyhound Aristotle Bale can score another victory at Saturday’s Cannington meeting.
The son of Collide and Hafren Bale has his 103rd start jumping from box one in the 5th grade Box 1 Buffet (race two, 520m) and looks well-positioned to contend for another triumph.
Aristotle Bale extended his career record to 18 wins and 32 minor placings with a runner-up spot behind Who’s Got Bams over the 600m at Cannington last week.
He has a super record over the middle distance in recent weeks and with three wins and six minor placings from 15 previous starts wearing the red rug should feature here.
“He’s doing great,” Crudeli said. “Since he stepped up to the 600 metres I think he has placed in 10 of his 12 races.
“The last four or five months he’s got a bit of confidence that he needs to compete at this level and he's racing well.
“He’s well drawn as Silver Pierre in box two is slow early, so even if he misses the kick he can muster speed and lead at the first corner.
"Single Sticka in box three is a big threat but I would expect mine to go close."
Aristotle Bale won over the 600m at Cannington three starts back in a smart 35.28 and was only half-a-length behind Who’s Got Bams last week.
Who’s Got Bams moves to box four this week and looks the biggest danger, while Who’s Got Blue (box seven) is also worth considering.
Crudeli also likes the chances of his greyhound Shell Shocked, who will jumps from box one in the Fireworks On NYE Stakes (race three, 520m).
Shell Shocked has not won since July but has placed in five of his last six and has the solid overall record of 10 wins and 11 minor palcings from 30 starts.
He has won once and placed once in four previous starts wearing the red rug but clocked a smart 30.15 while placing at Cannington two starts back.
“This draw should suit him perfectly,” Crudeli said. “He'll need to jump, but if he does he'll be on the arm early and be tough to run down.
“I think we’ve got him very close to peak fitness now and again I expect him to be in the top two at least.”
In other Cannington Saturday action, Surfing Moment (box four) looks the night’s best bet in the Family Fun On New Year’s Eve (race one, 520m).
The Joe Dailly-trained greyhound is seeking a first win on his 14th attempt but placed over the 380m last start and has run a 30.90 at Cannington.
Pepper Fire (box two) returns to WA after a terrific spell in Victoria and looks the clear top pick in the Free-For-All Free Kids Activities (race five, 520m).
The classy Chris Halse-trained greyhound scored two wins at Sandown Park to help extend her impressive career record to 11 wins and 19 minor placings from 37 starts.
She has placed four times in five previous starts wearing the checks and won on her last Cannington appearance in a strong 30.02.
For Cannington Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
