Bruce King believes it will be a case of many happy returns for his impressive greyhound Mack Tux at Richmond tonight.
The consistent son of Lochinvar Marlow and Oxley Falcon jumps from box three in the Globe Memorial Company Stakes (race nine, 400m) aiming to extend his record of eight wins and six minor placings from 19 starts.
Mack Tux has been unsuccessful in his last four starts but has been racing in elite company at Wentworth Park and won all three of his races over the 400m at Richmond.
This is his first run for three weeks since finishing fourth in a Group 1 Paws Of Thunder heat on January 14 but King said his greyhound was eager to return to racing.
“He’s looking strong and I have no complaints with him,” King said.
“The Richmond Cannonball is next week and then there’s some big feature races coming up, so I thought this was a decent race for him to return.
“I think he knows every grain of sand at Richmond – he’s seen the track plenty of times – and he certainly enjoys racing there.
“The distance is no problem and he’s more than up to this.”
Mack Tux showed his class with a hat-trick of victories over the 520m in strong company at Wentworth Park in November.
His form has tailed off a little since then but he should still have too much for this field, with Lochinvar Dash (box one) looking the only serious threat.
“I really cannot fault how he’s run for me,” King said. “He’s an absolute gentleman in the kennel – no trouble at all.
“There’s nothing wrong with him and if he gets out fine, he should have too much speed for the rest in this race.”
In other Richmond Friday action, Fire And Smoke (box two) can continue his strong recent form with victory in the Ladbrokes Maiden (race one, 535m).
The CHRIS Carl-trained newcomer has scored two placings in his last three starts and ran a decent 31.33 at Richmond last week.
Lochinvar Hugo (box six) is another talented newcomer and looks the standout in the 5th grade Kevin Waters Towing 1 Win Stakes (race four, 535m).
The latest exciting pup for Hunter Valley trainer Robert Smith, Lochinvar Hugo is making his Richmond debut but scored a dazzling 29.52 triumph over the 515m at Gosford recently.
Lovelace (box seven) drops back in distance but still looks a strong chance in the 4/5th grade electriciansupples.com.au Stakes (race seven, 535m).
The John Smart-trained greyhound, who has been one of NSW’s best stayers over the last 12 months, finished third over the 720m at Wentworth Park on her last start three weeks ago but scored a sound 30.64 victory over the 535m on her last visit to Richmond on January 6.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
