Canya Star is the form greyhound of Peter Sims' entries in Thursday night's Heats of the GRNSW Middle Distance Championship at Dapto but the trainer believes kennelmate Riccabono could be his trump card.
Canya Star, who won in a smart 34.55 at her only Dapto 600m test, has won 10 of her past 15 races and will exit box seven in Heat one of the Championship.
Riccabono will be making her middle distance debut in Heat two but Sims expects her to run a great race from box one.
"I think Riccabono will run out the 600m on her ear and box one is perfect,'' Sims said.
"Although she finished second to Canya Star at Wenty on November 6 and again at Richmond four nights later, Riccabono is actually a two or three lengths faster greyhound than her kennelmate.
"It's just that Canya Star is a better race bitch but Riccabono certainly has the talent.
"Riccabono's latest form at Wentworth Park has been a bit patchy but for some reason she doesn't like that track.
"When I get her out of the van at Wenty Riccabono wants to hop back inside, she is a funny little thing.
"But she is ready to run a big race at Dapto but so is Canya Star, although box seven is a slight concern.
"There are a couple of wide runners drawn inside Canya Star but I'm hoping she can ping out and lead because then it won't matter how wide any of her rivals get.''
Canya Star's toughest opponents loom as Shez Got Soul, box one, and the Victorian-trained Awesome Catch, box three.
Shez Got Soul has drawn the coveted rails box and while she has not won in five appearances wearing the red rug, trainer Peter Lagogiane is happy with the draw.
"I was hoping she would get box one, especially over the 600m trip at Dapto,'' Lagogiane said.
"Her recent racing has been slightly interrupted by a minor injury but Shez Got Soul is ready to go now.
"I have a healthy respect though for Awesome Catch, he is a very good greyhound.''
Heat three features the absorbing clash of Sorry Scott in box one and Shanjo Prince in six.
Sorry Scott overcame trouble from box seven to beat Shanjo Prince over 600m at Dapto last week, and should relish the inside alley tomorrow night.
But Shanjo Prince is also well drawn as he failed to handle box one last Thursday, veering wide at the start and colliding heavily, losing all chance in the process.
Shanjo Prince's litter brother and kennelmate Tennessee Tiger makes his 600m debut from box seven in Heat four.
The wide draw suits Tennessee Tiger, who has won five of six starts from boxes seven and eight.
But Embye (pictured), a recent WP 520m winner in a scorching 29.40, has box one, while Victoria's Slingshot Hammer, in box three, will ensure a thrilling contest.
Slingshot Hammer has won 28 of 68 starts and has never been in better form.
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WHILE Dapto holds the spotlight tomorrow, race nine at Maitland promises to be an exciting duel with each of the five starters boasting good form.
The Jason Mackay-trained Turbo Thomas, who has box two in the 400m Ladbrokes Info Hub Stakes, has had 10 wins and a second from 11 starts and is undefeated in five Maitland outings.
Grafton flyer Copperhead Rogue, with 11 wins and 13 placings from 26 races, has box three, while Demander Valley, another Grafton-trained greyhound, has won six of 12 appearances, including a win from box eight, tomorrow's draw.
Trainer Barry Gibbons, who has Lilly Banner in box one and Galaxy Banner in five, leans to Galaxy Banner as his better chance.
"At this stage of her career I think Lilly Banner might find this race a bit rich,'' Gibbons said.
"She is only 20 months old and although the box will help, I reckon her more experienced kennelmate Galaxy Banner, despite her having box five, is my main hope.''
Galaxy Banner has won 17 races, is a proven WP performer, and has won over the Maitland 450m trip in a slick 25.17.
