Champion Mister Twister can enjoy a winning track debut at Dapto tonight as he prepares for an assault on some of NSW’s biggest titles.
The Jason MACKAY-trained greyhound (pictured), who has already earned more than $250,000 prize money earnings, jumps from box one in the 4th grade Raffle Every Thursday Night Stakes (race five, 520m) aiming to further improve his impressive career record of 14 wins and 12 minor placings from 34 starts.
Mister Twister has finished down the track in his last two starts at Wentworth Park after scoring a brilliant victory in the Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic in June, but looks ideally positioned from the rails draw on his first visit to the Illawarra track.
The son of Collision and Double Twist has scored three wins and a minor placings in five starts wearing the red rug and looks the clear top pick in this field.
“I thought his last couple of runs were good but they were rough races and he had no luck,” MACKAY said. “I think a change of scenery for this race might help him.
“The Dapto Megastar is also on the horizon, so it’s a good chance for him to see the track. His mother certainly liked this track as well.
“We’ll likely give him a couple of runs here to see the track and then all being we’ll have a look at the NSW Sprint Championships (at Wentworth Park). We’ll then have a look at the Megastar with him as well.
“He’s way down on grade in this race and likes the draw, so the signs are good.”
Meanwhile, Riley Tokaam, another greyhound from the premier Hunter Valley MACKAY kennel, looks the top pick in race eight over the 600m.
The consistent son of Don’t Knocka Him and Skyela Tokarm (box eight) ran unplaced at Wentworth Park last start but had previously been in good form, scoring four victories from seven starts and 10 from 23 overall.
“He loves a wide draw and both this race and draw look ideal for him,” MACKAY said.
“He’s won two out of two over the 600 metres at the Gardens and his two starts over the 565 metres at Maitland, so this distance should suit him fine.
“I don’t know if he’s a Group race winner – it’s a bit early to say – but he chases hard and has real ability.”
In other Dapto Thursday action, She's Grand looks capable of scoring another victory in the night’s feature race, the 5th grade Kiama Knight JRLC Final (race six, 520m).
She’s Grand (box three) finished second on her first look at Dapto last week but has been one of NSW’s most consistent greyhounds this year.
Asa Barboza (box eight) has won four of his last six starts and is also a threat.
This is his first visit to Dapto but he has run some strong efforts over the 520m and looks the class act of this field.
Lagoon Prissy (box three) looks yet another promising newcomer for gun Macarthur-based trainer Sharron Webster and looks the best bet in race nine over the 520m.
The well-bred daughter of Cosmic Rumble and Lagoon Lowanna has won of her four starts so far – both over the 520m at Dapto – and clocked a speedy 30.12 over this trip on June 1.
For Dapto Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
