Whistler Valley is in peak condition to win the battle of the littermates at Grafton this evening.
Trained by Des Winters, Whistler Valley lines up against Winskey Valley in race seven – the Ladbrokes Red Dog Final (407m). Both greyhounds were bred by Winters are from the same Bralyn County and Wattle Valley litter which was whelped in 2015.
While Winters own both greyhounds, Winskey Valley is trained by David Irwin.
“DAVE was at our place when they were six months old, saw Winksey Valley and said, ‘I’ll train that one’,” Winters said.
“When they were broken in, Winksey Valley was the quickest, which shows what a good judge DAVE is. Winksey Valley is probably the quickest of the litter so far but there’s not much between them.
“If Winksey Valley gets a clear run he’ll be hard to beat, but Whistler Valley is going well and capable of doing well in this race.”
Whistler Valley has won two of his five starts over this trip so far and was a decent 23.73 winner in last week’s heats. He also has the favourable box two tonight, while his littermate has box six.
“He did it tough last week,” Winters said. “The time wasn’t great but I’m expecting improvement this week.
“He’s run 23.31 in performance trials and I think he can get down to that again in a race situation.
“Whistler Valley certainly likes the inside and he’s got the right draw to run a competitive race tonight.”
In other action at Grafton tonight, Little Nangar can score yet another victory in the night’s fifth race (407m).
A multiple Wentworth Park winner for premier NSW Central West trainer Dennis Barnes, Little Nangar scored a smart 23.11 victory over this trip last week.
Debutant Nangar Magic, who is yet another promising Barnes-bred greyhound trained by DAVE Irwin, looks a huge chance in the night’s opening race (407m).
The well-bred son of Barcia Bale and All Too fancy ran well in a performance trial over the 305m at Grafton last month and looks to have ability.
Recent Gunnedah Cup runner-up Kooringa Ayla looks ideally drawn to continue her excellent form with victory in quality race six (480m).
The Mitch Northfield-trained greyhound has scored two wins and six minor placings in her last eight starts and won well over this trip three starts back in a best-of-night time.
