Former go-karting star Peter Carr is optimistic eye-catching value chance Cicatriz can salute in a Heat of tonight’s Ladbrokes Dubbo Gold Cup.
The greyhound jumps from box eight in the second of four quality-packed Heats aiming to earn a place in next Friday’s $10,000-to-the-winner final.
Cicatriz’s career has been hampered by a metacarpal niggle but he is a city-class greyhound and has built the solid record of 11 wins and 17 minor placings from 59 starts.
The son of Bekim Bale and Josey Casey clocked a sizzling 29.77 winning over this trip in December and also has a strong record in NSW country cup series.
“He reached the final of Sprint Challenge last year and the Chief Havoc at Gunnedah,” owner-trainer Carr said.
“The injury has affected his career but he’s got real ability and he’s a better greyhound than his record shows.
“He just lacks that amazing early pace but I think he’s well boxed here and if he comes out within half-a-length of them, he’s a chance.”
Cicatriz has been lightly raced in recent months but has won six races at Dubbo and scored a decent second at the NSW Central West track over the this trip last week in preparation for the series.
The tough opposition in this Heat includes Little Cindy (box one), a star of the gun local Paul Braddon kennel and this year’s Group 1 National Derby winner Big Daddy Bee in box five.
Carr also has Thor’s Devil jumping from box two in the first Heat, which also features star locals Irinka Alf (box four) and Nangar Bear in box eight.
Thor’s Devil has the modest record of six wins and 12 minor placings from 44 starts but has been freshened up for the series and clocked a competitive 30.32 at Dubbo in February.
“It’ll be tough but I think she can run a cheeky race,” Carr, who is based at St Fillans, close to MUDGEE, said.
“The main thing is my greyhounds are fit and looking great.
“We have a beautiful dam out here they’ve been swimming in, along with their training. They seem to love it and it’s doing them the world of good.”
Carr trained his first winner more than 40 years ago as a teenage bakery worker but left the sport for several years to pursue his other great love of go kart racing.
He was one of Australia’s gun racers and competed both across the country and in overseas events.
“I’ve always been competitive,” he said. “Whether I win a race at Wentworth Park or Dubbo, I get a similar kick (to go-kart racing).
“You meet the same lovely people in both sports (as well). When Cicatriz won that race at Dubbo in December, people at the track were high-fiving me.
“Both my greyhounds are capable of running good races (here), but I’m very positive about Cicatriz’s chances.”
Heat three is an absolute belter, featuring the likes of star local All A Blaze (box one), multiple Group winner Knight Sprite (box two) and consistent Aston Ebert in box six.
Ferrero Miss, another from the Braddon kennel, has won her last three starts and looks the top pick jumping from box three.
NSW star Falcon’s Fury (pictured), a winner of the Bulli and Bathurst gold cups this year, has mixed form recently but looks the standout chance jumping from box seven in Heat four.
Best value chance for the series could be Kilkee May (box two, Heat four), a recent Group 2 Richmond Oaks finalist and consistent performer at country tracks.
Action at Dubbo starts at 6.42pm.
