Fastest heat qualifier Ochre Keroma looks the one to beat in Saturday night’s Paradise Street Trophy Final (race six, 600m).
The James Jeffries-trained greyhound jumps from box four in this high-quality $16,500-to-the-winner decider after clocking a super 35.08 victory in last week’s heats.
Ochre Keroma has never won in eight previous starts wearing the blue rug but is a genuine middle distance talent and has built the impressive record of 14 wins and 17 minor placings from 42 starts so far.
The former NSW greyhound’s brilliant win last week made it three wins and three minor placings from six starts over this trip since heading west earlier this year.
“I couldn’t have been happier with her run last week, especially as the track was very heavy,” Jeffries said. “She obviously likes the 600 metres and I’m hoping she’ll go alright.
“Realistically, box four will make it hard for her to cross (but) if she repeats her first section from last week, she can do it.
“Her only issue is she can be hyper in the boxes when she hears the lure. That’s her only downfall.
“It’s a very hard field with all the pace on the inside but if she handles her box manners and runs how she can, she’s a chance.”
Ochre Keroma looks the one to beat but this is a super final, with most of the field having claims.
Art Noveau (box one) finished second in last week’s heats behind Ashom Monelli but clocked a dazzling 34.93 over this trip two starts back.
Ashom Monelli (box two), from the gun David Hobby kennel, has won four of his five starts over this trip and clocked 34.70 at Cannington four starts back.
Stratosphere (box seven), from the gun John Iwanyk kennel, clocked 35.05 three starts back and looks the best value chance.
Victor Metti (box three), West On Hawkeye (box five), Ess Bee in box six and Flying Eamonn (box eight) complete the field.
In other Cannington Saturday action, Demon Bale (box two) looks a tempting value chance in the night’s Free-For-All over the 520m (race four).
The 2016 Group 2 Traralgon Cup runner-up, a winner of more than $120,000 prize money, is having his first race in WA in the kennel of Enzo Crudeli.
He faces a star field including Group 1 winning kennelmate Equanimity (box one) but has raced against the best and has 18 wins to his name.
Kennelmates Teddy Monelli and Sahannah Monelli are both in good form and look the top picks in races seven and eight respectively.
Teddy Monelli (box one) has won three of his last six starts, including a high-class heat of the Group 1 Sandown Cup in Victoria and looks hard to beat over the 715m.
Sahannah Monelli (box two) finished fifth in a Paradise Cup heat last week but clocked a smart 35.07 over this 600m trip two starts back and can win again this week.
For Cannington Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
