Early speed tends to win big races which is why front-running Ben Hur is in the box seat to take out tonight's $25,000 to the winner Crownbet Dapto Maiden Classic.
Ben Hur won his heat and was a fading second in his semi-final but on both occasions posted clearly the fastest first sectional time.
He has box four in the final but as he is surrounded by moderate beginners the George Borg-trained greyhound is expected to spring to the lead when the boxes open.
Also in Ben Hur's favour is that Rockstar Kobe, who has the prized rails box, is a notoriously slow starter, while fastest semi-final winners Time Lee Money and Maggie Marvel have drawn awkwardly in six and seven.
Maggie Marvel had box five when she led throughout to win her semi in 29.95 but she veered left at box rise and charged towards the rails in the run to the first turn.
Time Lee Money, whose 29.96 semi win was from box six, may need luck to avoid the keen railing Maggie Marvel when the lids lift.
Fiery Crash's 30.13 was the slowest of the semi-final winners but last week showed improved early dash after coming from behind when third placing in the heats.
Maggie Marvel could give Fiery Crash, who has box eight in the final, a good "trail'' across the field in the charge to the first corner.
"I would have preferred an inside draw with Fiery Crash but she did take a step to the right when she jumped from box six her semi,'' trainer Garry Edwards said.
"Fiery Crash missed the jump badly in her heat and I put that down to it being the first time she had raced under lights.
"Box eight this week is not bad because I believe Fiery Crash will run in a straight line from the start to the first turn.''
Although disappointed at not drawing an inside box, Maggie Marvel's trainer Michelle Shambler gives her exciting prospect a good chance tonight.
"If she jumps cleanly I am confident Maggie Marvel will be hard to beat,'' Shambler said.
"Maggie Marvel had just one trial at Dapto before this series began and she seems able to weave her way through the field.
"So even if she does not lead early she can still be hard to beat.''
The other exciting race at Dapto tonight is the 600m Greyhound Products Direct Stakes, featuring the clash between Megalodon (box six), Panel Beater (two) and Lucky Gambler (one).
Panel Beater's trainer Garry Edwards said: "My dog has met Megalodon only once and she beat us home at Gosford.
"But Panel Beater is well drawn near the rails tonight and is unbeaten in two Dapto 600m races.''
Megalodon has won two from three at Dapto, where her fastest 600m time is 34.41 and while Panel Beater has clocked 34.37, he does not possess his rival's early speed.
Lucky Gambler is not as talented as her two rivals but she has won two of four Dapto 600m assignments and has the advantage of the rails trap.
Jeff Collerson's picks
Best Bet: Golden Musket (Race 6)
Best Value: Ben Hur (Race 5)
Quaddie
Race 5 - 4, 6, 8
Race 6 - 1, 5
Race 7 - 6, 2, 1
Race 8 - 1, 4, 3
$20 for 37.03%
