Ninja Mac is airborne right now after back-to-back wins at Dapto in scorching times of 16.77 (new PB) and 16.78.
The career best run coming on Dapto Megastar night last Thursday where he put a similar field to the sword, sling shotting around his competitor’s midrace to win by 5.25 lengths.
The dogs drawn in Box 1 and 2 – Numb and kennelmate All For Irish – look the testing material, with Ameena’s Meraki (Box 4) capable of clocking some great early splits as well. She wasn’t quick away two weeks ago at the track but if she begins like she normally does, she could either drag Ninja Mac into the race or provide great cover for those drawn inside her.
Every one of Ninja Mac’s 45 career starts has come at Dapto, so he knows the place like the back of his paw, and with a vacant alley to his inside following the scratching of West On Arnie, a hat track of wins looks well within his grasp.
Ran in behind Ninja Mac seven days ago in the above-mentioned Megastar night performance, and with that greyhound set to go around in Race 7 on Thursday’s card, it could prove to be an even stronger form reference depending on the outcome.
Holtorf Bale has since been to Nowra and clocked 20.64 for the 365m trip to beat home the talented Cumbria Kid by three lengths, registering career win number seven in the process.
He gets good grade relief on Thursday too, dropping out of a NG affair on Megastar night and back into a mixed 4th/5th grade race where only Ebony Mamba (Box 8) has broken 17 seconds for the trip.
Gets the nod ahead of that runner due to the Box 2 draw and on his best performance of 16.78, would lead this field a merry dance.
RACE OF THE NIGHT
This middle-distance contest for the fifth graders looks a belter on paper.
Exciting staying prospect Spread The Load (Box 3) will renew her inter-kennel rivalry with Palawa Queen (Box 5) seven days after the pair could barely be separated on Megastar night (replay below). The final margin of 0.03 of a length tells one story, but as Spread The Load ambled up to Palawa Queen at the point of the home straight last week, every man and his dog thought she would just blow by the litter sister to Palawa King. Instead, she took every bit of the 600m journey to stick her nose out in front to claim the win in a time of 34.92.
Palawa Queen has the better racing pattern of the pair and often finds herself in the bold front running role. She does find it harder to win than some of her rivals (three victories in 24 starts), but it’s the 15 placings that prove she’s a fairly reliable commodity and can usually be trusted to run a good race.
Leg Speed (Box 7) makes his debut appearance over 600m and it’ll be interesting to see what he can produce. Was slow away and took an eternity to get into it in the heats of the Megastar, but once he wound up, was hitting the line hard. We’ve seen several scintillating runs over the 520m at Dapto in recent times from the Gatt-trained runner, with times of 29.37, 29.62 and 29.64 jumping off the page. The wide draw on a bend start could suit him and he only needs to step well to be in this up to his ears.
Lochinvar Pearl (Box 4) is lightly raced for Ruthy King and already has a good record at Dapto, albeit over the sprint trip (6: 3-0-1). Never been over the 600m in race conditions but is locally trained so one thinks this daughter of Fernando Bale may already have some experience under her belt. Might not be able to go with the Lord or Gatt greyhounds but could fill a minor placing.
Boy Serious (Box 8) interestingly owns the best track and trip PB in the race of 34.54 but that did come more than 18 months ago. Has been racing over the shorter trips at Nowra more recently and would need to wind back the clock to figure.
R3 | Lady Sif (Box 8) – she hasn’t trialled at Dapto but she seems to get around tracks pretty easily first up. She’s a little bit of a wide runner but she doesn’t like being boxed outside which makes it hard for punters. She has run 30.30 at Richmond but I’m not overly hopeful.
R4 | Pattaya Pete (Box 6) – both of ours in this race are a bit suspect over 500m. We just wanted a change of environment for this guy and he was broken in down at Dapto. He has trialled sub 17 seconds over the 300m there, but we haven’t been able to get down to race him. He needs to be near the front to show his best and he’d be the better hope of the two.
Black Book (Box 7) - might not be strong at the back end of 500m. He’s boxed beside the kennelmate which could be a downfall but if Pattaya Pete comes out, it could drag him out too. He’s a littermate to Reflections but he’s not at her standard. He could go 30.20 or 30.30 if he gets everything his own way though.
R9 | Below Zero (Box 8 and pictured below) – better suited to the inside but she has trialled pretty well down there. Hooked On Fame (Box 1) is well performed around there but I’m expecting her to be either in front or second or third at worst going into the corner. She’s got very good box speed and has run 2.02 for the first section at Richmond in a trial, that could mean she breaks 17 with a clean run at Dapto.
Below Zero has six wins from her 47 race starts, with only one of those victories coming from Box 8.
R10 | New Apex (Box 4) – she won her maiden last week. Very quick early and if she gets out of the boxes alright, she could give this race a crack. She’s out of a very good litter as well, Jason Magri has Blue Falcon and Loco Express who are going great. She’s not up to them but she does have ability.
Best Chance | Below Zero is probably the one we are most confident about but New Apex could run a good race as well.
