Bookkeeper goes into tonight's Group 2 Ken Hickey Concreting Cranbourne Cup (520m) as the fastest qualifier after a smart 30.22 on a wet track but trainer Glenn Dainton said if conditions suit he is confident he can break the 30-second mark.
"I think he would have done under 30 seconds in his heat as the track was very wet," Dainton said.
"When you look at the times of the other heat winners it shows how well he went."
In his heat Bookkeeper led from box two but is facing a tougher assignment tonight from box five with speed drawn around him.
"His first section last week was 5.36 - the fastest of the night - and I think the first section record at Cranbourne is around 5.27," Dainton said.
"I'm hoping if he can produce similar figures tonight he might be able to lead again but it is a much harder task from box five.
"When you draw there and have speed either side of you it makes it difficult but I'm just hoping he can be in the first three around the first turn."
Bookkeeper is the $2.90 favourite with TAB fixed odds ahead of Banjo Boy ($3), Innocent Til ($3.70) and Keybow ($6.50)
Banjo Boy won his heat from box two in 30.61 but pulled up with an injured stopper bone and was given a seven day stand down period. Although the incapacitation period ended prior to the final, trainer Keith Virtue had Banjo Boy vetted as a precaution and he has been given the all clear.
Banjo Boy has recorded a smart PB of 29.98 at the track.
Dainton said if he jumps in front Banjo Boy is clearly the dog to beat from box one.
"I know he has been under an injury cloud but if he is starting I expect him to be 100%," he said.
"He has gone 29.01 at Sandown so if he leads I he will be very hard to run down.
"I'm just hoping Bookkeeper can get a clear run to the first turn and hope things go his way.
"He's as sound as a bell and he was really excitable when I got him out this morning which is always a good sign."
Innocent Til has drawn awkwardly in box four but has been impressive winning his past two starts, beating Peter Rocket in 29.34 at Sandown before leading throughout in his heat in 30.53.
The Darren MacDonald-trained pair of Fancy Amigo (box three) and Keybow (box seven) were strong heat winners and have winning claims.
Fancy Amigo has won at the track in 30.10 and looks great value at $16.
Selections: Bookkeeper 1, Fancy Amigo 2, Banjo Boy 3, Keybow 4
