Belfast Johnny’s trainer Troy Vella is philosophical about being drawn in the sixth Heat of the Sportingbet Paws of Thunder at Wentowrth Park on Saturday night.
The Vic Peters Classic winner has box five in a hot field where he will tackle Victorian stars Dyna Kayla, Tomac Bale, Xylia Allen, Iona Seven and Gold Town, along with Wentworth Park track record holder Punch One Out.
"(Belfast) Johnny is going to be up against this kind of opposition from now on," Vella said.
"Since his 26.38 win at Bulli on New Year’s Day he was freshened up and then on Tuesday I gave him a trial up the straight at Box Hill and he went as well as ever. He is 110 per cent and all he needs a bit of luck.
"Johnny just can’t draw a box but maybe if he wins on Saturday his box draw luck will change in the final."
Belfast Johnny (pictured, yellow rug) faces a big task to land the Vic Peters-Paws Of Thunder double as the last greyhound to snare the coveted twin finals was Don McMillan’s Leon Mal back in 1993, the first year these classics were run on sand at Wentworth Park.
But Belfast Johnny is up to the task providing he can jump cleanly on Saturday night.
Belfast Johnny’s main danger is Tomac Bale, who trialled brilliantly at Wentworth Park on December 27.
Despite appearing to stumble slightly at box rise, Tomac Bale posted splits of 5.40, 13.78 and 17.93 before recording 29.78 for the 520m.
One trainer who is glad his dog is not in the sixth Heat is Queenslander Tom Tzouvelis, whose Tee Brady has drawn box one in the third Heat.
"Heat six is equivalent to a final line-up," Tzouvelis said.
"Tee Brady is fortunate to have drawn this Heat and box one is a bonus.
"Although he handled box eight beautifully when he won at his most recent Wenty start I’ve always said I prefer box one in a big race.
"If Tee Brady can get a clear run to the first bend I’m confident he can lead.
"He hasn’t raced since his December 28 win but trialled well last week and is at his peak."
Tasmania’s Buckle Up Wes, in Heat five, has won two of three Wentworth Park starts and proved he is going as well as ever with a sizzling 29.37 win at Launceston on December 30.
It was Buckle Up Wes’ 15th win in 26 starts and his time compared well with the track record of 29.09 held by Victoria’s champion bitch Xylia Allen.
Buckle Up Wes has a nice box three draw and having the inside running over arch rival Spud Regis (box four) could prove the deciding factor.
Safest bet in the eight Paws Of Thunder Heats should be Allen Malik, who has box one in Heat seven.
He clocked 29.96 from the rails alley when winning at his Wentworth Park debut on December 27 and should get a dream run early, courtesy of Zipping Logan and Brooklyn Drive, drawn in two and three.
They use a bit of the track and are unlikely to crowd Allen Malik in the early stages.
Best Bet: Allen Malik (Race 9)
Best Value: Belfast Johnny (Race 8)
Quaddie:
Race 5 - 1, 3, 4
Race 6 – 6, 2
Race 7 – 3, 4
Race 8 – 5, 3, 4
$20 for 55.55%
