Kangaroo Jack, who has recorded a sizzling 29.61 over 520m at Wentworth Park, tackles a middle distance for the first time in Wednesday night's seventh race at Richmond, a 622m fifth grade.
Kangaroo Jack proved his fitness with a slashing 29.50 trial over 520m at Richmond last Thursday and trainer Syd Swain is quietly confident the dog will see out the longer trip on Wednesday.
"I can't say for sure because I have not trialled Kangaroo Jack over 622m,'' Swain said.
"But in his fast 29.50 trial last week he ran home in 11.23, which is outstanding.
"The record run home at Richmond is reported to be Superstar Ethics with an 11.11 finish so I was pretty happy with Kangaroo Jack's figures.
"Reason I did not trial him over 622m is because if I had done that it might have taken the edge off him just before his race.
"But he is fit enough and is bred to stay, after all he is by Blue Moon Rising, an outstanding stayer.
"I didn't want Kangaroo Jack drawn out wide, he had to be near the rails to have a good chance, so box three is not too bad.''
Kangaroo Jack
Trainer Minnie Finn is the "queen of Richmond" after dominating a succession of recent Wednesday night meetings there.
She has several starters on Wednesday but the most interesting and best value could be Zipping Kerr, who has box one in race three, a 520m fifth grade.
Zipping Kerr has won two of her six races but has not drawn closer to the inside than box six.
Several keen judges believes Zipping Kerr, who is a slow beginner, wants a rails draw but Finn is unsure.
"I did think she wanted a rails box but last time she raced at Richmond Zipping Kerr wanted to run off at the first turn,'' Finn said.
"Zipping Kerr showed a lot of promise before she raced and I thought she might develop into a more than handy bitch.
"But I must admit I have been a bit disappointed in her so far.''
Zipping Kerr has clocked 30.12 from box even at Richmond and 30.26 from box eight at Wentworth Park and if she can begin cleanly on Wednesday she could notch her third win in seven starts.
"She is the quickest and the greyhound with the most potential, I have a good opinion of her,'' Galea said.
"Woolgoolga Gal has won over 320m at Richmond in a smart 17.99 and was runner-up over 401m there but I have no doubt she will be better suited over 520m.
"She is very strong and with a clear run I expect her to be hard to beat.
"I'm a bit worried about the greyhound in box two, as it tends to duck out, while the dog in box one does not have a lot of early pace.
"I'm hoping Woolgoolga Gal can get a sit on the rails behind the two dog around the first turn.''
