Bill Barnett, who owned 1965 National Derby winner Chariot Charm and trained 1987 group 1 Paws Of Thunder winner SEE YAH, has imparted plenty of know-how to son Graeme who will give Armed Assassin his first middle distance test at Richmond on Friday night.
Armed Assassin has box eight in race six, a 618m fifth grade, and goes into the event with a consistent record of seven wins and 11 placings from 29 starts.
"Dad turns 94 in November but while he is now feeling the pinch as far as walking goes, he is still mentally sharp and has taught me a lot about training greyhounds,'' Graeme Barnett said.
"While Armed Assassin gets to the line powerfully over 520m, I don't think he will become a stayer, he is more of a strong sprinter.
"Unfortunately he hasn't come to grips with Wentworth Park which is frustrating because that's where the money is.
"But Armed Assassin always 'loses' the bend near the 720m boxes at Wenty and I don't think that is ever going to change.
"Richmond has become his favourite track, he has taken a shine to the place since being introduced to that course by Mark Gatt when he trained the dog on my behalf recently.
"I had sent Armed Assassin to Mark when the travel restrictions were in place, because I was only able to race at The Gardens and this dog is not suited there.
"Mark did a fantastic job with Armed Assassin and while his box eight draw on Friday would usually be quite suitable, from the 618m boxes he will have to get out and go early because they start on a bend.''
ON The Rocks, who has won each of two starts over 330m at Richmond in sizzling times, steps up to 400m at Bulli on Saturday night.
The DonnaCampbell-trained youngster will contest race nine, a fifth grade, and she is expected to go close to winning.
"Because On The Rocks is just 16-and-a-half months old I am taking her along slowly, it is all baby steps for her at this stage,'' Campbell said.
"She is very promising and I don't think the extra 70m at Bulli over Richmond will be a problem.
"I have trialled On The Rocks at Bulli and she went well, her sectional and run home times indicate she will handle 400m okay.
"But it will be a long while before On The Rocks is ready to come to Wentworth Park, and I think the next greyhound of mine which could make it there is Perfect Sin.
"She has had four wins and a second from her past five starts but picked up a minor injury after winning over 400m at Bulli on June 20 and will be out of action for a couple of weeks.''
Lagoon Sunshine has rewarded owner Tim Phillips' continued patronage of trainer Ray Webster with three successive wins over 340m at Bulli and will tackle 400m for the first time there on Saturday night.
Lagoon Sunshine is a daughter of Fernando Bale and Webster's 2017 Golden Easter Egg runner-up Lagoon Jazzy, who went under in the group 1 WP final to Victoria's Striker Light in a tight photo finish.
"I put Lagoon Sunshine through the auction and bought her back, but later Tim Phillips purchased her from me,'' Webster explained.
"Tim has been a loyal client of mine over the past decade so deserves all the success he gets.''
