Recent Group 1 National Derby winner Big Daddy Bee, red hot Wicked Warrior and NSW superstar Ritza Lenny are among the headliners for this Friday night’s Group 2 Richmond Derby (535m) heats.
Group race winners Brad Hill Billy and Royal Turbo also feature in the three heats of the $40,000-to-the-winner series, which is open to male greyhounds only and is one of the biggest of the year in NSW.
The Jason Magri-trained Wicked Warrior jumps from box four in the first heat aiming to continue his hot record of five consecutive victories.
Wicked Warrior has not raced at Richmond since August last year but has clocked a smart 30.76 victory over this trip at the western Sydney circuit.
This heat also features January’s Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup winner Barking Bad (box one), who was also runner-up behind winner Falcon’s Fury in last Saturday night’s Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup.
Giant greyhound Kong (box five), who is making his debut at Richmond but should be ideally suited to the track and distance, also features in this race.
The hot field also includes Brad Hill Billy (box seven), a multiple Group finalist over the last two years who won at Richmond">Richmond on February 17 and has a strong record at the track.
Brad Hill Billy’s kennelmate Big Daddy Bee, who produced a terrific run to take out January’s Group 1 National Derby at Wentworth Park, jumps from box six in the second heat.
He finished second behind Brad Hill Billy at Richmond on his last start but faces some tough opposition here including El Magnifico (box one) and last year's Goulburn Cup winner Clock’s Ticking in box two.
Ritza Lenny (pictured), the star of the gun Mark Gatt kennel, looks the one to beat jumping from box six in heat three.
Last year’s Group 2 Bob Payne Spring Sprint winner finished second in a Bulli Gold Cup heat on his last start two weeks ago but had scored two wins after returning from a toe injury.
He has won two of his previous four visits to Richmond, including clocking a dazzling best of 30.32.
Recent Group 3 Christmas Gift winner Royal Turbo (box eight) has built the fine record of eight wins and five minor placings from 17 starts and looks the biggest threat.
Best value chance for the series could be Better Call Sloy, who jumps from box five in the third heat.
The Darren Sultana-trained greyhound has won four of his last eight starts and clocked an impressive 30.50 triumph at Richmond last Friday night.
The three heat winners and runners-up, together with the two next fastest placegetters, will earn spots in next Friday’s decider.
Friday night’s racing also features four heats of the $40,000-to-the-winner Group 2 Richmond Oaks, which is open to female greyhounds only.
Check out a preview of that series here.
For Richmond Friday fields and form, click here.
