Maxwell Rimmer believes his greyhound Patch Adam looks well-placed to score a memorable victory in this Friday’s Group 2 Ladbrokes Richmond Derby (535m).
The son of Black Magic Opal and Limited Addition scored the fastest qualifying time, bolting home in a super 30.41 from box one in the third of four heats of the $40,000-to-the-winner series last Friday night.
That was Patch Adam’s first run in almost two months after injury, with the triumph extending his record to seven wins and four minor placings in 16 starts.
He will jump from box seven in the final, from which he has won his two previous starts and with an unbeaten record at the western Sydney track looks tough to stop.
“I honestly think he’s a good chance in the final,” owner-trainer Rimmer said.
“I like the Richmond straight for him as it gives him time to balance up and then he can power on through. He’s won his two starts there and it’s where he was schooled – he loves the place.
“I think Mack Tux will lead from box three and then I just hope Patch Adam can follow Ritza Lenny from box six across to the rail.
“If he can stay in touch with the early leaders, he’s got to have a good chance.”
After shooting out of the boxes, Patch Adam showed impressive strength to lead a tough field home by three-and-a-half lengths in his heat.
He looks a strong chance to claim the series, which is open to male greyhounds only.
Victory in the $40,000-to-the-winner decider would clinch the biggest title yet for Rimmer, who has been training for about seven years and is based at Fullerton Cove, close to Port Stephens.
“I was on a high driving all the way home from Richmond,” Rimmer said. “I had a few chats with him driving back.
“I thought he could run a 30.50, but I wasn’t expecting him to go that fast as he did.
“The final will be tough, but if we are within four lengths of whoever is leading at 272m mark then he’s got a good chance of running them down.”
Wicked Warrior (box five) will also be among the favourites after scoring his sixth consecutive victory with a 30.50 run in the heats.
Recent Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup winner Barking Bad defeated a strong field to win his heat in 30.57 and looks a big threat from box two, having only missed a placing once in 10 previous starts wearing the checks.
Ritza Lenny has drawn the tricky box six but is one of NSW’s best greyhounds and was a dominant 30.60 heat winner.
El Magnifico (box one), Winsome Mission (box four) and Nangar Flame in box seven complete the field.
Meanwhile, Where Art Thou will likely start favourite for this Friday’s Group 2 Ladbrokes Richmond Oaks (535m) decider after claimed time honours in the heats.
The Kayla-Jane Coleman-trained greyhound produced a strong 30.48 run from box two to win the second of four heats of the series, which is open to female-only greyhounds.
Where Art Thou will start the $40,000-to-the-winner final from box two, from which she has won six of her nine previous starts.
The daughter of Where’s Pedro and Amnesia has scored 13 wins and three minor placings from 27 starts and is ideally suited to the 535m trip.
She also loves Richmond, having won four of her six starts at the track.
Three Victorians took out the other heats – Striker Light (box eight, 30.65), last year’s champion Mitcharlie Mia (box three, 30.61) and Mumma Josie (box one, 30.71).
Hot Victorian Up Hill Hill (box four) looks the best value chance, while Kilkee May (box five), Utah Miss (box six) and Uno Arjo (box seven) complete the field.
