Off The Richter was runner-up in two major middle distance races last month so a sharp drop in class should have the Gary Stewart-trained dog back in the winner's circle at Richmond on Wednesday night.
Off The Richter will be making his Richmond debut when he exits box three in heat one of the GRNSW Middle Distance Series, a 622m fifth grade.
After beating Has Ability in a heat of the Ladbrokes Summer Six-Hundy over 603m at Gosford on January 23, Off The Richter was a strong finishing runner-up, beaten less than two lengths, in Father Rick's February 3 final.
Trainer Gary Stewart then took Off The Richter to Grafton where the dog defeated Sanisha in a heat of the inaugural 660m The Clarence, clocking 38.01, a tick outside Shipwreck's track record.
In the February 25 final Off The Richter ran out and collided early and after giving the pacemaker 10 lengths' start in the middle stages, rattled home to be beaten six lengths by Scintillate in 38.31.
Off The Richter has twice broken 30sec over 520m at Wentworth Park, clocking 29.77 and 29.99, and should only need to begin cleanly to be too good for his rivals on Wednesday night.
Off The Richter after his Clarence Heat Win.
Father Rick, who led throughout to beat Off The Richter in the Summer Six-Hundy at Gosford, makes his Richmond 520m debut from box four in Wednesday's wickcoffee.com. Masters, a 520m second and third grade.
Since his Gosford win Father Rick has maintained his slashing form and defeated the 2023 NSW Greyhound of the Year Palawa King over 605m at Dubbo on March 2.
Circumstances have forced trainer Ray Webster to drop Father Rick back to 520m racing on Wednesday.
"I nominated him for a 622m event but that race did not eventuate so I entered him for this shorter Masters race rather than have him sitting at home in his kennel,'' Webster said.
"He has not been out of the 520m boxes at Richmond but is going great and with any luck should go close to winning.''
Father Rick made the pace when second to Palawa King over 622m at Richmond on February 10 and can handle 520m, having posted fast times of 29.67 at Wentworth Park and 29.78 at Dapto over that trip.
Father Rick
Ironically Father Rick's toughest rival on Wednesday is likely to be his kennelmate Lagoon Clissold, who has box one.
Ray Webster said: "Lagoon Clissold turned four last December but is going better than ever.
"And he is ideally drawn in box one because he has been unlucky when second from boxes eight and six over 440m at Goulburn at his past two starts this month.
"He is nowhere near as good as Father Rick but he has got the better draw so while it is doubtful he could beat his kennelmate, it is not impossible.''
Daintree Idol, who was a gift to owner-trainer Trevor Robinson, is well drawn but faces tough opposition in Wednesday's second heat of the Ladbrokes Odds Surge Stakes.
Daintree Idol broke 30sec in a 520m trial at Wentworth Park before clocking 29.92 and 29.99 when runner-up in races there on March 8 and 15.
Trainer Trevor Robinson said: "Daintree Idol has won over 400m at Richmond in 22.73 and while she has not raced over 520m there she trialled 30.06 there a while back and she is a better greyhound now.
"Zipping Kimble, who ran Daintree Idol down and beat her a head at Wentworth Park on March 15, is up against us again.
"But I was happy with Daintree Idol's run that night because she had to work hard to reach the lead in getting around Aston Florin on the first turn.
"Daintree Idol loves a wide alley so box seven should suit her on Wednesday.
"She had been unplaced in each of four races in Victoria late last year so in December I got her for nothing and she has been a terrific acquisition.''
