LOTS Of Diamonds is John Maroun's first group race finalist in 18 years as a trainer but she has a great chance of giving him well earned success in Thursday night's Group 3 Dapto Maiden Classic.
The Warren Harper-trained Another Grey is likely to be a red hot favourite after setting the time standard in both the heats and the semi-finals.
Another Grey began brilliantly and led throughout in those wins and her tendency to race wide makes her look ideally drawn in box seven.
But Lots Of Diamonds, who has box four, shapes as Another Grey's main danger.
"Lots Of Diamonds was beaten eight lengths when second to Another Grey in her semi-final but was unlucky not to have finished a lot closer,'' Maroun said.
"My bitch began cleanly and was a close second at the first turn when she was dragged down from behind by another greyhound.
"Lots Of Diamonds is a reliable beginner, has good early speed, and is a keen chaser.
"There is not a lot of pace around her so box four is a lot better than it looks on paper.
"The fastest dog I've trained was Road Crew, who trialled a blistering 29.80 for me at his first Wentworth Park trial.
"He won four races but was placed, without winning, in five Wentworth Park starts, and despite his fast trial he used to find a way to get beaten in 30.50 in his races there.
"I only have two greyhounds in work because I am employed full-time by Wollondilly Council so most of the time it is left to my mother Dawn to look after the dogs.''
Maroun and his mum are doing plenty right however as their other greyhound, former Tasmanian Maharani, won brilliantly last week at Dapto in 30.01, only a tenth of a second slower than Another Grey's best time of the night.
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SAWYERS Gully trainer Jason MACKAY, who took out last year's Black Top with Mister Twister (pictured), is the only trainer with two finalists in Friday night's Sires On Ice Black Top at LADBROKES GARDENS.
MACKAY, chasing his third win in Newcastle's prestige race, will rug up Zipping Tayla (box one) and former Victorian True Talent (three), with both coming from behind to win their heats in 29.39 and 29.46 respectively.
Snozz, MACKAY's first Black Top victor, won in race record time of 29.34 in 2010.
On Friday night Zipping Tayla is ideally drawn and has won at LADBROKES GARDENS in 29.27, identical time to the figures posted by fastest qualifier Set To Storm in the heats.
MACKAY has given Zipping Tayla a thorough grounding on the track in preparation for the 2018 Black Top as the Marty Hallinan-owned and bred bitch has had seven of her 10 races on the Newcastle circuit.
"There is nothing between Zipping Tayla and True Talent and they are each well drawn,'' MACKAY said.
"If they were in boxes six and seven they would have no hope, that's how crucial this draw has been.
"While Zipping Tayla has the inside alley advantage, True Talent is unbeaten in three races at LADBROKES GARDENS and loves the place.
"He has been a little disappointing at Wentworth Park but is the type of dog better suited to LADBROKES GARDENS or a track such as Dapto.''
Best "roughie'' would be Caitlyn Keeping, who has brilliant early speed and as first reserve has a chance of gaining a start.
