Greyhound Racing NSW’s decision to significantly increase prize money for middle distance events late last year had a real impact for owners and trainers.
Dogs that might have otherwise headed to Victoria and Queensland – where metropolitan prize money is on offer at 600m – have genuine options on the NSW TAB circuit and Thursday’s feature at Dapto is a beauty.
While only six will take their place in Race Eight, the contest oozes quality.
The Ruth King-prepared Wicked Spartan has won his past three starts – all at the Showgrounds track over 600m – to improve his career record to nine wins from 25 starts and from box two will attract strong support.
As well as Wicked Spartan is going, Ice Cream Story (Box 4), Sound Of Silence (5) and the speedy Prim And Proper (7) have excellent records at Dapto’s middle distance.
Ice Cream Story was supreme in her slick 34.21s win at Dapto on August 26, an all-the-way offering that curtailed a run of second place results.
While early pressure will come from Sound Of Silence and Prim And Proper (pictured above), the result will come down to which dog begins best.
Wicked Spartan’s best first section (9.39s) leads 99 out of every 100 races over 600m at Dapto while Ice Cream Story’s 9.61s registered seven days back is competitive and, with only three Dapto 600m outings on her resume, there is upside.
Interestingly, the two headline acts are both by champion sire Fernando Bale, each were helped in March 2019 and their personal best times at Dapto are all-but identical – 34.19s for Wicked Spartan while Ice Cream Story’s is 34.21s.
The lids fly in the first of 10 races at Dapto at 7.10pm.
