I'm Sally will be striving to clinch a place in the August 14 NSW Distance Championship at Wentworth Park when she chases her sixth win in 13 long-distance appearances at headquarters on Thursday night.
Trained by Bec Edenborough at Cowra, I'm Sally is expected to be among the eight greyhounds contesting the NSW event in a bid to earn a place in the National Distance Championship at Brisbane's The Q Parklands circuit.
I'm Sally was impressive in her all-the-way win from box seven over Lady Wilson at Wentworth Park last Saturday night, but has box one for just the third time in her career in Thursday night's 720m Ladbrokes Bet Ticker Stakes.
Trainer Bec Edenborough's husband Rod McDonald said: "I'm Sally won her maiden at Temora from box one a year ago but has had box seven or box eight in each of her past four starts.
"I don't know if I'm Sally will know what to do when she finds herself in box one, but as a trainer you never knock back that draw.
"I train Ray's Bella, who has box eight in Thursday's race, and she is likely to cut across the field and could make the pace.
"She has won five shorter races but has been crying out for a middle to long-distance event.''
Most anticipated clash on Thursday night is the meeting of Labrokes Peter Mosman Opal winner Coast Rig with Ayden's Warrior, chasing his 17th win in 39 starts, in the Farrell's 4x2 Stakes, a 520m fourth and fifth grade.
Coast Rig has box one, the draw she had when she gave trainer Patricia Chaker her first Group One success in the Opal a month ago.
Ayden's Warrior has box two, and is returning to Wentworth Park after a strong finishing win over an unsuitably short 440m at Goulburn last Friday.
Trainer Jodie Lord's husband Andy said: "Ayden's Warrior cut his foot in a race at Dubbo in March and we've since had no end of trouble because of that.
"But he has come good now and while we are keen to get Ayden's Warrior back over 720m at Wentworth Park he is well drawn on Thursday.''
Ayden's Warrior has had nine starts from boxes one and two for six wins while Coast Rig's five races from box one have resulted in three wins and two placings.
The Lords also have strong claims on Thursday night with Fearless Bandit (box one) and He's A Pearl (box five) in the Ladbrokes Same Race Multi 520m fifth grade and with Take A Little (box eight) in Sponsor A Race @ Wenty 520m fifth grade.
Fearless Bandit and He's A Pearl are litter brother sons of the Lords' champion race bitch She's Pearl.
After Massaro overcame a moderate getaway from box one to lead at the first turn and win by over seven lengths in a slick 29.70 on July 26, trainer Michelle Sultana commented: "I don't think he really wanted to be drawn in there.
"He might be better off in the middle of the track.''
On Thursday night Massaro, named after Daniele Massaro, the legendary AC Milan soccer player, has drawn box four with an empty trap on his outside.
Massaro has won five of his six races, and it seems only extremely bad luck can spoil his marvellous record on Thursday night.
