Battle Brewing In Best Puppy Classic Clash Yet

THE sport's brightest young stars will be out in force at Nowra on Saturday night for the running of the Group 3 Ladbrokes Nowra Puppy Classic Final (520m).

First staged in 2003, the Puppy Classic has become a staple at the popular Nowra circuit, with regular prize money uplifts seeing the club rewarded with its best field yet to celebrate the event's 20-year anniversary on Saturday night.

Trainer David Smith takes a two-pronged attack into the $40,000-to-the-winner decider after landing heats with fastest qualifier Got The Feature (29.48) and Tarawi Rocky (29.55).

But while Got The Feature set the pace for the final with a stunning heat romp, it is the much better drawn Tarawi Rocky which Smith says leads his chances of claiming Puppy Classic glory.

"Box seven makes things really difficult for Got The Feature, almost enough to say he can't win, I just can't see how he'll get across from out there," Smith said.

"It's a strange thing to say about the fastest qualifier but there is just such an advantage to being down near the fence, especially in a final.

"I can just see Tarawi Rocky (box 2) getting a much better run and I actually think he'll be better this week with another look at Nowra under his belt. The more he sees a track the better he goes."

Boasting 11 wins and 15 placings from 35 starts, Tarawi Rocky is bred in the purple, a son of Fernando Bale and former crack race bitch Miss Splendamiro.

In his heat, the regally bred chaser staved off a late challenge from Tommy Kade to score by three-quarters of a length, just a week after being defeated by the same greyhound in the Group 3 New Sensation at Wentworth Park.

"He had the eight in the New Sensation and was a bit unlucky," Smith said.

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"The draw this week gives him a chance. If he leads I think he can beat Tommy Kade again but if it leads we can't beat it. The first few strides will be so important."

While the pair sit on the second and third lines of betting at $5 and $4 respectively, maintaining favouritism is Coin Model, a kennelmate to Tommy Kade, at $3.30.

The hugely gifted chaser surged through the pack to claim her heat in 29.72, the time indicative of the run she had in transit.

Before embarking on her Nowra Puppy Classic quest, Coin Model smashed the Richmond track record, running a remarkable 29.11 at just her ninth race start.

Adding to the star power in the rich decider is the appearance of Rockstar Apollo which was ultra-impressive winning his heat in a commanding 29.55.

But a move from box one to eight for the final hasn't done the Shaun Evans-trainer sprinter's prospects any favours but has still had admirers in betting, currently a $5 chance.

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Ladbrokes Nowra Puppy Classic Final (520m)

(Winner: $40,000)

1. Luna Country $18
2. Tarawi Rocky $5
3. Tommy Kade $4
4. Sour Cider Wilma $61
5. Shanghai Suzy $17
6. Coin Model $3.30
7. Got The Feature $9
8. Rockstar Apollo $5
9. Custard Monelli $5
10. Country Roy $51