The reward for the winning connections is $25,000, a nice return on the small investment made to nominate the greyhound for the race while it was still a puppy.
The favourite for the race is Stilton Blue (4) who went close to the track-record in the heats. The fastest qualifier from the semi-finals was Quick To Go (8) who noticed up her first career win in the process.
Comments: Chris O'Brien (Trainer) – “With a bit of luck and a bit more experience on the inside she should go well. If you asked me to swap boxes I would say no. It's always a help drawing the inside in a final. She is fit and well and looks tremendous. She needs a little bit of room to move. If she can get on the bunny she is strong.”
Comments: ARG opinion is – Blessed with good early toe which is an asset at Nowra. She isn't the strongest in the race but if she can get to the front early she may be able to do enough to hold on for the win.
Comments: Chris O'Brien (Trainer) – “He has no pace and needs a lot of luck. He is a bit dour but quite strong. He will need to be on the pace to be up there from the draw.”
Comments: ARG opinion is – Has taken to the Nowra circuit well with two strong performances in the heats and semi-finals of this series. He will need some luck from the outside draw but is an each-way chance.
Comments: ARG opinion is – Cracked her maiden last week and showed plenty of ability in the process. She was the fastest qualifier for the final but has to contend with the wide box eight draw for the first time in her career.
Comments: Hasn't set the world on fire so far in her short career. She will need luck if she gains a start.
Best Nowra Times
Best
Last
Sect. Best
Sect. Last
30.50
30.96
4.48
4.65
Stilton Blue (4) had this draw when he flew around the Pinebowl circuit in 29.57. That day, he recorded 4.26 to the first section. If there is a repeat of that on Saturday night he looks the winner.
Solar Pak (1) is a very strong greyhound drawn on the rail. She needs room to move and she may get that with a risky beginner, Gold Buccaneer (2), on her immediate outside. She ran third to Highbury last week beaten just three quarters of a length.
Stilton Blue may not have it all his own way early with Leica Destiny (3), a reliable beginner, drawn on his inside. Her strength at the end of the race is not as good as some of the other fancied runners so there will need to be some interference behind her for her to clear out.
Highbury (7) has improved each week and has to be considered. Quick To Go (8) is inexperienced but has shown ability, with a 30.04 win last week. She was able to show what she could do on the bunny last week. The query this week is whether she can put herself in a favourable position from the wide draw.
Gold Buccaneer, Hollie Anne (5) and Someone Tifi (6) often get back a little in their runs and this will work to their disadvantage in the final as they may cop some interference. Of the three of them Hollie Anne looks the best chance to feature.
