Spike Set For Another City Success

AN optimistic Keith Pedrana is expecting Kraken Spike to return to the winners list when the son of Fernando Bale steps out from box one in the fifth event at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

In the money at his past seven appearances, Kraken Spike will take his place in the opening leg of Saturday night's quaddie as the $2.60 favourite with Beteasy, and while Pedrana is confident of victory with his in-form galloper, did baulk at the price currently on offer.

"I do expect him to win – but I thought he'd be closer to a $4.00 chance not $2.60," declared Pedrana on Friday.

"He's a funny dog but he's got a heap of ability. I know this will sound funny but I don't want him to lead Saturday night. He's a much better dog with something to chase, I'm hoping the seven and eight come across and he gets a good run in behind them. If he does he'll be way too strong late, I reckon he'll stay this dog."

In what's a competitive 4/5th grade 520m affair on Saturday night, Kraken Spike heads the market ahead of Blue Summer Sky at $3.20 from box two, while Inversion, a litter-brother to Feral Franky, is quoted a $4.20 chance from box seven.

Always a chance in their races, Mark Gatt's grand campaigners Rita's Boy and Smoking Road are both at $12.00 from boxes three and four respectively.

With just the two greyhounds currently in work, Pedrana, best known for enjoying the ride of his life as owner of champion greyhound Brett Lee, explains that it was the intervention of Anthony Azzopardi that led to Kraken Spike finding his way to his western sydney kennels earlier in the year.

"Anthony Azzopardi put me in contact with Kevin Eyles and after we had a chat he sent me up Kraken Spike and Kraken Rye to train – he's sending me a few more in the next month or two as well," explained Pedrana.

"Kevin said when he sent him up that Kraken Spike was a very quick dog but was doing some odd things … I worked out what he meant by odd things after a few starts for me but I put that down to him being very puppy-ish and immature.

"He's had a few tickets – but not by his own doing if you ask me – he's a different dog now."

While Pedrana's immediate focus is on Saturday night – and the $5,500 first prize – his attention will then begin to shift to the fast approaching Million Dollar Chase semi-finals on October 11, with Kraken Spike securing a semi-final spot with a grand second to Good Odds Buddy in the Dapto regional final recently.

"Both his runs (to qualify) in the Dapto series were outstanding and a bit unlucky," Pedrana said.

"In the heat he got stopped in his tracks and was beaten 2 ½ lengths by Cawbourne Marty and in the final I reckon he took about eight lengths off Good Odds Buddy to finish second. He'd never been to Dapto before that either.

"After the Million Dollar Chase is over I'm going to step him up to 600m and maybe even 700m. Because he's a funny bugger he has a flat spot during the second section of his races and can even wait for them. His run home times are strong and he's really matured … it wouldn't surprise me if he runs a distance at all."