The beautifully bred Shevchenko looks primed to score a debut win as the Taylor Family and Clarence Valley Sheds Maiden Series (407m) kicks off tonight at Grafton.
Tonight’s heats kick off the two week Grafton carnival, which will see greyhounds come from across the eastern states to compete.
Shevchenko is by champion Fernando Bale – a winner of more than a million dollars in prizemoney - and former Grafton track specialist Scissor Queen who won 20 from 31 starts, and has shown he may live up to the standards of his extremely talented parents.
Trained by Ben George in Queensland, Shevchenko jumps from box one in the sixth of seven heats of the $14,000-to-the-winner series, the feature event of Grafton’s annual winter carnival.
Shevchenko clocked an impressive 23.25 over the 407m in a Grafton performance trial last week for George, who works out of the Brisbane suburb of Nundah.
“I think there’s improvement in him yet,” George said.
“He handled the track and the top corner there very well last week and he’s showing plenty of promise.
“This is a great series with some excellent greyhounds so I’m not overly confident, but I’m liking his chances.”
Hobby trainer George – who owns Scissor Queen - is an electrician by trade and names his greyhounds after famous soccer stars. Shevchenko is named after Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevcenko who played for AC Milan and Chelsea during a glittering career.
George has only been mentoring greyhounds for about a year and is planning to move to Victoria shortly after this series to further boost his career in the sport.
“I said that if this litter cannot run then I might as well give up,” George said.
“Shevchenko’s siblings Amber Ale and Snoop A Loop have already won races, so the talent is there. I’m not getting too carried away but I certainly think Shevchenko has a tonne of potential.”
In other Grafton action, Kingsbrae Dave looks the top pick in a high-quality race nine (305m).
The Toni Northfield-trained greyhound is airborne after scoring three successive wins, including a best-of-night win over this trip on June 12.
For Grafton Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
