As much as we’d like it, you can’t have everything. And it’s usually the same in greyhound racing as Ray Smith concedes.
Forbes-based Smith will have two runners in Friday’s $40,000 to the winner Richmond Riches Final favourite Feral Franky, and his litter brother Freaky Franky.
On the strength of his 30.58s heat performance and a seven length win in a slick 30.50s in the semi-final, Feral Franky is a deserved short-priced favourite.
“He’s going great. He’s a terrific dog who gives you 100 percent,” Smith said. “He’s a great traveller. He’s got a terrific motor, and he’s learning to race, so that’s the main thing … he’s a little bit slow early, but you can’t have everything.
“You can take him anywhere. You can’t do that with all of them. It’s horses for courses as they say usually, but Feral, he doesn’t care where he turns up … he just does his best.
“He is favourite (for the Riches’ final) deservedly. He’s gone extra well there, and the track suits him. Let’s just hope he gets a run though and doesn’t get held up too much, but we’ll see what happens.”
Feral Franky has come a long way in a short time. His career only began in November with a 30.80s win at Richmond.
In February he won a heat and was then second to Axel Footluce in the National Derby at Wentworth Park, then later that month won a heat and was fourth in the final of the Bull Gold Cup behind Pindari Express.
In April, Feral Franky won his heat and then the final of the Group 3 New Sensation at Wentworth Park then headed to Sandown for the Speed Star series where he defeated Midnight Dare in his match-race clocking 29.20s, and ultimately finished second to Flynn in overall times
And now the heat and semi win in the Richmond Riches.
In all Feral Franky has raced 20 times, for eight wins, eight seconds, two thirds and just two unplaced runs - the fourth in the Bulli Gold Cup Final, and a sixth at his second start, at Richmond, where he spent most of his time trying to stay on his feet as he received check after check.
“The future does look bright for him, touch wood, if he can stay injury-free and everything continues goes well,” Smith said.
Feral Franky has drawn box three for the final, and Smith will be hoping he can position up close behind likely leader My Bro’s Ethics, who won last week’s other semi-final in 30.95s.
Freaky Franky will exit the six box and his effort in finishing second to My Bro’s Ethics last Friday was solid, while one of the other leading candidates will be Peter Lagogiane’s Knighthood, who has been runner-up at his only two starts, both times behind Feral Franky.
