Sooty Oak scored one of the best wins of his career at Richmond last week and looks capable of repeating that feat tonight at the western Sydney circuit.
The son of Oaks Road and Where’s Sooty jumps from box six in the 4/5th grade Noms Open: 2018 $40K Riches Stakes (race six, 400m) aiming to extend his consistent record of 11 wins and 11 minor placings from 37 starts.
Sooty Oak defeated a high-quality field over this trip last week from this same draw, exploding out of the boxes and winning in a decent 22.93.
He faces a tough field again tonight including litter brother Khumba (box four) but owner-trainer Ronnie Alcock is confident of another win.
“I thought Sooty Oak might be a winning chance last week,” Alcock said. “He’s now won three of his last six and was only narrowly beaten in two others, so he’s in great form.
“He is better drawn inside but having said that he can get jammed up from an inside draw and cannot get going, whereas from wider draws he can avoid trouble and then kick on.
“I’d put him ahead of Khumba as he’s the more reliable beginner and Khumba is a hard greyhound to train. He drags you to the boxes and when he jumps, he usually takes four steps and lets out a big bark.
“He takes his time to get going, although when he does he can certainly motor.
“It’s tough race but Sooty Oak has a chance.”
Sooty Oak has scored two wins and a placing from five previous starts wearing the green rug and looks to have the edge in a field where most are struggling for best form.
Are Jip (box five) has raced against the best in his long career and looks the biggest danger behind Khumba.
Zipping Angus (box two) is a hot newcomer for Marty Hallinan and looks well positioned to triumph again in the 5th grade Globe Memorial Stakes (race seven, 535m).
The talented newcomer finished second on his Wentworth Park debut last start but scored a hat-trick of wins recently and won from this box at Richmond on February 3.
Oakville trainer Michael Eberand is having a strong run of form and could be celebrating another win for his greyhound Ebby Chance in the 4/5th grade Mounties RLC Stakes (race eight, 535m).
The daughter of Sh Avatar and Ebby Miss has scored seven wins from 12 starts so far and has scored back-to-back victories over the 535m at Richmond on her last two starts.
Nadal (box six) looks a good chance to seal a hat-trick of victories in the Catching Pen 6.30 Tuesday Stakes (race nine, 618m).
The DEAN Swain-trained greyhound has won his last two starts, including a good win over the 61m at Richmond last week and looks the best in this field.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
