Magic Maiden finalist Wise Owl looks to be a strong chance of winning at his first look at Richmond tonight when he lines up in the Wenty Leagues Trophy 1-2 Wins Series (race four, 535m).
The Jane Carruthers-trained greyhound jumps from box four in the third heat of the series aiming for a third win in his first five starts.
Wise Owl won both his heat and semi-final of the Group 3 Wentworth Park feature before finishing fourth in the final behind winner Blitzing Lass.
The impeccably bred son of Barcia Bale and Clockwise, part of a fine litter that also includes Lismore 420m track record holder Fast Times, looks a good talent but Carruthers admits he will have to overcome his inconsistent box manners.
“They are his biggest problem,” Carruthers said.
“He is just so slow out of the boxes. He came out slowly in the Magic Maiden final, but I thought his run home was enormous. I was delighted with that effort.
“The whole litter is strong and he’s a very strong racing dog. We also trialled him at Richmond this week and have done some work on his box manners.
“I’m just hoping he can get it right tonight.”
Wise Owl’s main rival here looks like Paddy Nitro (box six), who is trained by Jodie Van Enkhuyzen and is a kennelmate of Blitzing Lass.
Paddy Nitro has scored one win and three minor placings in six starts so far, with tonight’s race her first start at the Richmond track.
In other action at Richmond tonight, classy duo Winsome Mission (box seven) and Star Torana (box four) look the top picks in races five and six respectively.
The veteran pair are still racing well and look a cut above the opposition, having both reached the semi-finals of the recent Group 1 Golden Easter Egg series.
Winsome Mission clocked a smart 30.57 for this trip last month, while Star Torana has a strong record at Richmond and ran a competitive 30.97 at the track last month.
In another heat of the Wenty Leagues Trophy 1-2 Wins Series, Milwaukee (box four, race seven) looks a good bet having won on debut at The Gardens and finishing third at his last start at Bulli.
Fusion Girl (box one) has won four of her seven starts so far and looks a strong chance in race eight – the 4/5th grade Angostura LLB Stakes (400m).
The Sam Sultana-trained greyhound won from the same draw in November and saluted at the western Sydney track on her last start.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
