Uncle Donuts' semi-final winning time was far slower than the figures posted by quickest qualifier Rev Fred Sloy but box two in Friday night's $40,000 final gives him a great chance in the Richmond Riches.
That's the opinion of Uncle Donuts' part-owner Brad Canty, who reckons his greyhound's draw is "close to perfect.''
Canty, a keen form student, said: "If Uncle Donuts is able to safely cross Nangar Gift, who has box one, in the charge to the first corner, he will go close to winning.
"Reverse the boxes with Nangar Gift and I would be declaring Uncle Donuts a 'good thing' because the fastest semi winners have drawn awkwardly and there could be a lot of jamming up in the early stages.''
Uncle Donuts, trained at Richmond by Sam Sultana, is unbeaten in three starts on the Londonderry circuit and led throughout to win his semi from box eight in 30.80.
Rev Fred Sloy, who led all the way from box one, clocked a sizzling 30.45 in his semi win with Two Times Twice (30.67) and Nangar Gift (30.89) the other qualifying winners.
Rev Fred Sloy is also trained at Richmond where he has won four of five appearances, but is prepared by Vic Sultana, the older brother of Uncle Donuts' trainer.
Gordon Sciberras, part-owner of Red Fred Sloy, said: "Box six has made it harder for my dog in the final but if he comes out as smartly as he did in his semi-final he'll still go awfully close, he only needs a reasonably clear run.''
John Finn trains three finalists, siblings Two Times Twice, Veloce Nero and Blue Moon Rising, and their part-owner Denis Donoghue conceded: "Our dogs are boxed upside down so the draw has made the race very open.''
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Poppa Ogg will spend the rest of his life as a pet at trainer Barbara Spackman's Castlereagh property following his breakdown at Wentworth Park last Saturday night.
Poppa Ogg suffered a badly fractured hock when chasing his 15th win in 32 starts in a 520m Free-For-All so won't race again.
Part-owner Gordon Sciberras said: "The dog aggravated the injury by continuing to chase after he sustained the injury while disputing the lead going through the first turn.
"He even came into the catching pen at a 100 miles an hour.
"The on-course veterinary surgeon did a wonderful job after the race, spending an hour with the dog strapping him up, and Poppa Ogg was operated on successfully on Monday.
"Of course he won't race again and while we could use him as a sire later on, at this stage he is set to be one of his trainer and part-owner Barbara's pets.''
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Stratavon Kasey made it back-to-back wins in the Muswellbrook Cup final when she took out last Sunday's 560m event in a very fast 32.21.
Trained by Dale Leard for Ken Bagnall, Stratavon Kasey had defeated Rangoon to take out the 2017 Cup in 32.92 but went the equivalent of 10 lengths faster in her win over Elle Nette Lee last Sunday.
Leard, who works a seven day roster at Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital, is now planning to bring Stratavon Kasey back to Wentworth Park.
"She finished second to Steelcity Boxing at her only start in town so I am now working on getting her back to Wenty,'' Leard said.
"The tricky part is sorting out how to get her down there due to my shift work commitments, which is why I have only two greyhounds in my kennels.
"I am only a backyard, hobby trainer, but Stratavon Kasey is the best greyhound I have had.
"She is not the quickest greyhound in the world but is a good, honest chaser with a beautiful temperament and is a pleasure to train.''
