Spratt Wary Of Key Rival In Maiden Classic

CHRIS Spratt knew even before the heats of the time honoured July Maiden Classic (450m) at Grafton were run what the dog to beat in the final would be.

Chris has Heidi McGraw (Aston Dee Bee-Nangar Silk) drawn in box six in Wednesday's $20,000 to the winner Maiden final and she comes into the race as the fastest heat winner at 25.32.

But, Chris knows only too well the ability of the eight dog, Ezra Man, from the Brett May kennel.

FIELDS AND FORM GRAFTON WEDNESDAY NIGHT

“We broke him in and know he is a very good young dog,” said Chris of the family's Cudal education complex.

Heidi Mcgraw opened the heats of the Grafton Maiden Classic last night and also clocked the fastest time of 25.32!
The Final will feature along with the Sprinters and Stayers Cups, Wednesday July 12.

Grafton Results: https://t.co/pRd1qrJWP0#thedogs #greyhoundracing #grafton pic.twitter.com/waXMhvs8km

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) July 3, 2023

“He's the one to beat.”

Chris, whose wife Sandra is the daughter of Dennis and Ann Barnes, admits Heidi McGraw would be better off drawn closer to the rails than her six box.

“But, she will stay straight,” he said.

“We give her a great chance and she has done well since the heat, slipping well.

“We think she should be improved with the heat run.

“But, it is very hard to work out just what young dogs will do in their races. We are aware the seven dog (King Of Aces) is not brilliant out.”

He said Heidi McGraw would head back home after Wednesday's final and be restricted to going through her grades around the country before any thoughts of taking her to the city.

Chris says the Cudal education complex is booked out until July next year.

“Recently, we have started public trialling on Wednesdays and are getting between 80 and 90 dogs each week,” he said.

Meanwhile, father-in-law Dennis Barnes believes a friendly rivalry with local trainer Mick Patterson will be a highlight of Wednesday night's glamour race meeting.

Barnes will run Nangar Rocket, winner of last year's Grafton Maiden, in the Stayers Cup (660m) and clash again with Patterson's Respectability.

Nangar Rocket downed Respectability at Grafton over the distance on June 24 leading throughout in 38.07.

And the Grafton Fair Dinkum Builds CV Sheds Maiden Final goes to Nangar Rocket!

The Dennis Barnes-trained chaser won by 2.5 lengths in 25.44 from Lee's Tiger with kennel-and-litter-mate Nangar Chief in 3rd.

Full Results: https://t.co/lRFy4xhCKO#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/XfpSPNDksQ

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) July 13, 2022

Third in that race was Locked On Scotch who then went to Albion Park to win a heat of the G1 Qld Cup and finish a narrow second to Palawa King in last Friday night's final.

Nangar Rocket and Respectability both went to Albion Park for the Qld Cup heats but finished fourth and third respectively.

“Rocket is not a true stayer,” said Dennis.

“But, he is perfectly suited by the 650 metre range. It will be a good rivalry with Mick's dog.”

Patterson is supremely confident Respectability can win.