Richmond has been a happy hunting ground for short course star Tijuana Icon and the in-form greyhound looks capable of saluting again at the western Sydney circuit tonight.
The ultra-consistent daughter of El Grand Senor and Classy Icon jumps from box five in the Goulburn To Richmond Final (race three, 400m) aiming for a fifth consecutive victory and a 16th career win overall.
Tijuana Icon enjoys her visits to Richmond, having scored three wins and two minor placings in her five previous visits to the track.
The Marien Sullivan-trained greyhound has also scored three wins in her three previous starts from box five – and certainly looks the one to beat tonight.
“It’s really a matter of the other greyhounds around her giving her space,” Sullivan, who works out of Bargo, said. “She’s not brilliant out of the boxes, but when she hits the ground she takes off.
“If they leave her alone for two steps she can be off and running.
“I don’t like her from box one as she can get fenced in, but anywhere from five and out seems to suit her fine.
“You can never be over-confident in greyhound racing but she’s certainly got a chance.”
Tijuana Icon defeated arguably the strongest heat field 10 days ago at Goulburn, storming home by two-and-three-quarter lengths in a smart 19.91.
She backed that performance up with another victory at Nowra on Monday over the 365m, extending her record to a fine 15 wins and nine minor placings from 26 starts.
“She loves to race so much that she gets into a tizz if she doesn’t race for a while,” Sullivan said. “She can miss the start if she’s fresh.
“I think her maximum distance is the 450 metres (and) Richmond is a track that seems to suit her.
“You do wish she could run the 500 and 600 metres, but at the end of the day we love her to bits. If she’s happy and healthy, that’s the main thing.”
In other Richmond Friday action, eye-catching newcomer Kihael Road looks the top pick in a quality race four over the 535m.
The well-bred son of Oaks Road and Kihael Madam has scored two wins from four starts so far, including a dazzling 30.43 triumph over this trip last week.
Mister Twister (box four) can also continue his strong form with victory in the fifth race over the 535m.
The son of Collision and Double Twist is having his first look at the 535m but has scored two wins and two minor placings in his last four starts, including a dominant six-length win at Wentworth Park on April 22.
Tamaar Tux will also have to win from the unfavourable box four in race seven over the 400m but also looks capable of continuing his recent run of success.
The Bruce King-trained greyhound has won his last two starts at Richmond over this trip and has been freshened up for this.
Starsza Smiling (box seven) is one of the stars of the premier Dean Swain kennel and looks the top pick in the night’s race nine over the 717m.
The daughter of Barcia Bale and Zsa Zsa does her best work over the middle distances but has gone well in strong company over the 720m at Wentworth Park and looks the class runner in this race.
For Richmond Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
