Skitso Joe is currently the toast of owner-trainer Russell Milham’s family and looks capable of scoring another success at tonight’s Grafton meeting.
The consistent son of Don’t Knocka Him and Impressive Shaz jumps from box six in heat three of the Ladbrokes Red Dog Series (race five, 407m) Aiming for a fourth win in his last five starts.
After two unsuccessful races over the 305m to start his career, Skitso Joe’s recent strong form has taken his record to five wins and nine minor placings from 20 starts.
He is providing plenty of joy for Millham, an electrician by trade who has trained greyhounds intermittently for the last 20 years who had to largely give up work due to health problems.
“I’m over the moon with him,” he said.
“My parents are in a nursing home and they love watching Skitso Joe racing on television and cheering him on. He’s giving them a lot of pleasure.
“He is a big, strong greyhound who is really maturing and is now constantly running placings.
“I couldn’t be happier with him.”
Skitso Joe has a mixed record at Grafton, scoring two wins and four minor placings in nine previous visits, but comes here as the form contender.
He has won once and placed once in three previous races from box six and beat a decent field on his last start at Casino over the 411m on February 10.
“He’s always showed ability from the moment I started him on the slipping track,” Milham said.
“My only concern is that I’m not sure he can beat Marilena Franco in box eight, who has raced very well so far.
“We’ll be keeping everything crossed but I think he can win.”
Other decent chances at Grafton include talented newcomer Harperama in heat five (race seven), from the gun local kennel of Dave Irwin and Put Thongs On from box two in heat six (race eight), a solid performer for astute Northern Rivers mentor Allan Lang.
He’s A Hummin (box three) is another eye-catching pup and looks the best bet in the 4/5th grade Iluka Bowls Club Stakes (race nine, 305m).
The Mick Hindmarsh-trained greyhound already has two wins at Grafton">Grafton over this distance from tricky draws and can salute in this.
For Grafton Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
