Kayla-Jane COLEMAN believes track specialist Where Art Thou has landed the ideal box draw for tonight’s Group 2 Ladbrokes Richmond Oaks (race six, 535m).
Where Art Thou jumps from box two in the $40,000-to-the-winner decider having scored the fastest qualifying time of 30.48 from the same draw in last week’s heats.
That win extended Where Art Thou’s super record at the western Sydney circuit to four wins in five visits and with six wins and two minor placings from nine previous starts wearing the checks, she looks perfectly positioned to take out the decider.
“If you’d asked me where we could have drawn, I would have taken that,” COLEMAN said.
“We seem to have drawn box six a lot in these finals, so it was nice to get a better draw.
“The big track at Richmond suits her as it just gives that little bit extra room to move and get around other greyhounds.
“She’ll need to improve again from but she’s certainly boxed well.”
Last week was only Where Art Thou’s second run in three months but the middle distance star showed her quality with a smart three-and-a-half length win.
“She was a little underdone, but the thing in her favour is that she’s naturally strong,” COLEMAN said. “Going into these Group races, you need to be 100 per cent, so I did give a little sigh of relief that she ran so well.
“There’s so much pace in the race (and) just as she’ll be stronger from last week’s run, you’d expect the Victorians to be improved as well. They are capable of running 30.40, which means she’ll have to go even faster than last week.
“(But) she’s pulled up fine, jumping out of her skin and looking good.”
Where Art Thou looks NSW’s best chance against some high-quality interstate opposition in the Oaks.
Last year’s champion, Mitcharlie Mia, who is now based in Victoria, qualified with a 30.61 win in the heats and looks a huge threat from box three.
Now in the kennel of gun trainer Anthony Azzopardi, the former NSW star has won on all three starts at Richmond and has triumphed four times in seven starts with the white rug.
Recent Group 1 National Futurity winner Striker Light looks to have drawn awkwardly in box eight but won her heat in 30.65 and is a brilliant talent, while fellow Victorian Up Hill Jill (box four) is a group winner and looks a danger.
Another Victorian, Mumma Josie (box one), has won four of her last five starts, is in astute hands with experienced trainer Jeff Britton and looks the best value chance from the rails draw.
NSW trio Kilkee May (box five), Utah Miss (box six) and Uno Arjo in box seven complete the field of female-only greyhounds.
The race is part of a great card at Richmond also featuring the Group 2 Ladbrokes Richmond Derby, a $40,000-to-the-winner race open to male greyhounds only.
For the Richmond Derby preview, click here.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
