Exciting prospect Rather Dapper looks ideally drawn to take out the Group 3 Vince Curry Memorial Maiden (race eight, 520m) at Ipswich on Saturday night.
The well-bred son of Dyna Lachlan and Pearl Za Zinger jumps from box eight in the $40,250-to-the-winner decider after winning both his heat and semi-final of the three-week series in impressive fashion.
After scoring a 30.54 win in the heats, Rather Dapper saluted with a dominant eight-and-a-quarter length victory in the semis from box eight in a smart 30.26.
Fire To Rain (box one) and the Tony Brett-trained Opal Nera (box three) look strong contenders but Rather Dapper’s owner-trainer John Mccarthy likes his greyhound’s chances.
“I’m happy with the box draw,” Mccarthy said.
“He won from here last week and he’s where he wants to be.
“Fire To Rain looks a big treat and Tony is the master of getting his greyhounds right for these big races, so I’m not getting overly-confident.
“You never know with maiden races – anyone can improve – but having said that, I wouldn’t swap Rather Dapper for anyone else in this race.
“The pace inside will make it hard but I’m optimistic he can win.”
Rather Dapper won well in the heats but was even more impressive last week, jumping well and finishing strongly for an easy win.
He looks a hot prospect for ex-pat Mccarthy, who is originally from London’s East End and first came to Australia in the late 1970s.
“I was back and forth for a few years but eventually I married an Australian girl and settled here,” he said.
“I wouldn’t change it. I’ve never had a big kennel but we’ve had some decent ones over the years. We won the Queensland Cup in 1993 with Dagenham and Pearl Za Zinger was a Queensland Futurity finalist as well.
“There’s four in the litter and they are all racing well. It’s enormously satisfying to see them perform when you’ve bred them yourself.
“He looks the best of them and I’m so excited at the moment to see how he will progress.”
Fire To Rain looks the best of Bribie Island trainer CHRIS O’Riordan’s three contenders, having clocked 30.50 while winning last week.
Opal Nera looks yet another promising newcomer for Brett, one of the country’s leading trainers, and could replicate his comprehensive 30.53 win in the heats.
Lockety Brin (box five) has won twice in the series for top Queensland trainer Darren Russell and looks the best value chance.
Fabrique (box two), Snug (box four), Scipio Africanus (box six) and Roll So Deep in box seven complete the field.
The decider is race eight on the card at Ipswich and jumps at 8.08pm (Queensland time).
For Ipswich Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
