My Little Mate may be shy away from the boxes but she’s making a big noise on the track and look a standout chance at Richmond tonight.
The handy newcomer jumps from box three in the 5th grade Globe Memorial Company Stakes (race three, 400m) aiming for a fourth win in her first five starts.
Usually jet-heeled out of the boxes, My Little Mate’s wins have all come over the 400m at Richmond and include a smart 22.81 effort over this trip on New Year’s Eve.
“She’s going fantastic – I couldn’t be happier with her,” trainer Barbara Spackman said.
“She was very timid as a younger greyhound so I would take her to Richmond and walk her among other people. She’s still shy but she’s maturing into a wonderful racer.
“She’s a reliable beginner so she’s likely to lead (and) even though she’s up against some good greyhounds here, I think she can win.”
My Little Mate looks the best bet in a race where the likely challengers look to be drawn on the inside.
Fancy Gun (box one) has run 22.69 from box one at Richmond but has mixed form recently, while Semikhah (box two) has clocked 22.80 at Richmond but has been below-par recently.
My Little Mate is the only greyhound currently in work for Spackman, who has been training greyhounds since the late 1950s.
“I love all animals – I breed birds and I keep frogs – and I love the friendship of greyhounds,” she said. “She’s my only one racing but I have seven other ones that I keep here at home with me.
“I think greyhounds love to race and I think if you look after them, they love to be out there racing for you.
“My Little Mate looks like she’s really starting to enjoy racing now (and) I’m hopeful she can win this one.”
In other Richmond Friday action, Victor Charlie (box five) is resuming after almost two months out but looks a decent chance in the second heat of the Kevin Waters Towing Maiden (race four, 535m).
The well-bred son of Fabregas and Little Charlie is in astute hands with experienced mentor Hank Vanderburg and is worth another chance in this.
Rocky Fever (box one) has been a recent star performer at Gosford and looks capable of bringing that form to Richmond for the 5th grade #Richmond_Greys Stakes (race six, 535m).
The Phil Cini-trained greyhound has placed in his last two starts – both over the 515m at the Central Coast track – but has won at Richmond over the 400m.
He has scored one win and two minor placings in four previous starts wearing the red rug and looks the best in this company.
Tango’s Express (box seven) is much better than his last start failure at Wentworth Park suggests and looks the best bet in the 4/5th grade www.penrithelectrical.com.au Stakes (race eight, 535m).
The Michael Curtale-trained greyhound has built the handy record of 19 wins and 21 minor placings from 66 starts and should benefit from the drop in class in this.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
