John Mccarthy believes Slick is the best of his three standout chances in Wednesday night's Rockhampton Cup (510m) heats.
Mccarthy rugs up Aza Zeus (box one, heat one), this year’s Group 2 Queensland Derby winner Rather Dapper (box three, heat two) and Slick (box one, heat three) in the three heats of the $23,000-to-the-winner series.
Slick has built the record of nine wins and 10 minor placings from 23 starts and ran a smart 30.09 over the 520m at Albion Park last start while placing in a Group 1 Winter Cup heat.
This is a first start from box one for the son of Dyna Lachlan and Pearl Za Zinger and Mccarthy believes his greyhound could take full advantage of the draw.
“He has the ability to win this,” Mccarthy said. “He’s not the best at box rise but he’s improving (and) box one could help bring him out.
“It’s a tough field so he needs to be left alone in the first couple of metres. If he can do that, then he can get clear.
“I think he’s the best of my chances.”
Aza Zeus has gone unplaced in his last four starts but has built the solid record of eight wins and seven minor placings in his 24 races.
Rather Dapper has only scored one placing in his last four starts but has been racing in elite company at Albion Park and has had a three-week break leading to the series.
“I’ve given him a let up in the last couple of weeks,” Mccarthy said. “I’m hoping he will be freshened up nicely for this.
“I took all three of them up for a look at the track and they all handled it well.
“They’ve all drawn well in their respective heats and I think they’ve all got a fair chance.”
Premier Queensland trainer Tony Brett looks to have two strong chances for the series in the shape of Zabdon Ferrari (box two, heat one) and Split Image (box eight, heat two).
Last year’s Group 3 Townsville Cup winner Zabdon Ferrari has won more than $130,000 prize money so far and with five victories from nine starts jumping from box two looks ideally positioned in the first heat.
Split Image has scored two flying wins in the last two weeks at Rockhampton, including a flying 29.77 effort from the same box eight on July 5.
A winner of almost $160,000, Split Image is a quality performer and looks arguably the top chance for the series.
The best local chance looks like the Dallas Beckett-trained Twelve Plus Two, who has box six in heat one.
Twelve Plus Two is perhaps better over shorter these days and is in a tough heat but is still a quality performer over the 510m and can handle the tricky draw.
For Rockhampton Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
