Second Exit Boxed To Claim Dapto Silverware

Peter Sims is adamant that if there's a greyhound doing the rounds that deserves a big race it's his prized bitch Second Exit.

And the in-form daughter of My Bro Fabio gets her chance to achieve just that when she steps out from box one in Thursday night's Sportsbet Middle Distance Championship Final (600m) at Dapto.

FIELDS AND FORM DAPTO THURSDAY

"She's earned $90,000 in prize money but had to fight and scrap for just about every cent of it – if there's a dog that deserves a nice race it's her," Sims said.

"I've got no doubt she's underrated – just flies under the radar. If you look at her record you'll see that she aims up every start no matter the track, box or distance.

"But the last three months she's just gone to another level again. And if she can hold this form there's a nice race or two in her for sure."

Winner of 18 races and a further 25 placings from a career spanning 59 starts, Second Exit will exit box one for Thursday night's $25,000 to-the-winner finale following a slashing 34.36 heat victory last week.

It was a performance that has seen Tab.com.au install her the $2.80 favourite ahead of Zipping Truvy at $3.50 and Incapacitated on the third line at $4.80.

"Box one really brings her into the race," Sims said.

"I would have been happy enough with five or inwards but the red is ideal for her off the bend start.

"She ran 34.36 in her heat but she had Ritza Donald giving her a few bumps which cost her some time. I reckon she can run 34.20 and if she does that from in front they're going to have their work cut out beating her.

“That's the plan anyway."

A stellar field of middle distance types are set to slug it out for Thursday night's Sportsbet sponsored decider.

They include hugely talented galloper Zipping Truvy, recent 35.36 Richmond 618 metre winner Incapacited, as well as Stanley Road, runner-up at each of his two Dapto 600 metre appearances.

Also there is Silver Heels, a 40/1 heat winner in 34.60 for trainer Steve Fitch.

But with the benefit of the gun inside draw, Sims is optimistic that his in-form charge can break through for some major race silverware.

"It looks like some of the better chances out wide might get stuck out there," Sims said.

"My bitch has the draw but she still needs to use it. If she does come out I'm confident she can be in the finish. I couldn't be happier with her.

“I've been working her harder between runs and doing a lot of swimming and she's responding to it well.”

A huge beneficiary of the increased middle distance prize money rolled out by GRNSW in September, Sims intends to target further 600 metre features with Second Exit in the coming months.

"The Golden Sands at Albion Park next month looks like a nice race for her," Sims said.

"And who knows, if she keeps going like she is she might even be in the picture for the (Group 1) Rookie Rebel at The Meadows in the New Year.

"But they probably aren't even looking at her at the moment. Let's hope she can change that in the next month or so.

"She's going as good as she ever has; hopefully that continues – starting with Thursday."