Natahli Dedee can take advantage of the rails draw to score a win in today's high-quality Greg Myers Memorial Final (race eight, 520m) at Nowra.
The classy daughter of Glen Gallon and Smooth Nitro jumps from box one in the decider aiming to further extend her consistent career record of 17 wins and 11 minor placings from 43 starts.
Natahli Dedee was a smart 30.20 winner in last week’s heats after exiting from box seven and she has scored two wins and a placing in five previous starts wearing the red rug.
She usually does her best work from wider draws but with two wins and a minor placings in five starts from box one, she looks a strong contender from the rails draw.
“She can miss the start sometimes so I’m keeping fingers crossed she jumps well,” trainer Loretta Rice said. “I do prefer her drawn wider, but certainly the rails draw is an advantage against this strong field.
“There’s plenty of speed on the inside here and I’m not overly confident, but if she jumps how she can then she’s a chance.”
That was only Natahli Dedee's third visit to Nowra but she is ideally suited to this distance, with her career record including six wins in elite company at Wentworth Park.
This is a competitive final, with most of the field having claims.
Maya Herrera (box two) has won three from three wearing the checks, while Arena Magic (box three) clocked a scorching 29.87 in last week’s heats.
Natahli Dedee has been a star for NSW South Coast trainer Rice, who has been training full-time for about four years after almost five decades working with the NSW Department of Education.
“I had greyhounds while I worked so I’ve never really stopped,” Rice said. “My work and the greyhounds is all I’ve ever done.
“I never wanted to do anything else as I love greyhounds.
“We’ve had more than 50 wins over the last 18 months which has made it enjoyable, but for me it’s just being with the greyhounds that makes it worthwhile.”
In other Nowra Monday action, Cor Caroli (box two) looks the top pick in the Les Thompson Memorial Maiden Final (race six, 520m).
The CHRIS O'Brien-trained greyhound scored a smart 30.51 win in last week's heats and can take advantage of the depleted field for another win today.
File The Writ (box eight) has been in terrific recent form and can salute again in the 4/5th grade Oysters Galore South Nowra Stakes (race nine, 365m).
One of the stars of the gun Ruth Matic kennel, File The Writ has scored five wins from his last seven starts and won from the same draw over the 400m at Bulli on December 31.
Handy newcomer Lyanna (box two) has won her last two starts - both over the 365m at Nowra - and can seal the hat-trick in the 5th grade Bomaderry Sheet Metal Stakes (race 11, 365m).
For Nowra Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
