On the Grapevine has been targeted as a potential city star but first he must negotiate Friday’s Leo Hartley Memorial Heats (525m) at Wagga Wagga.
The promising newcomer jumps from box three in the third of four Heats, chasing a spot in the $3,000-to-the-winner final.
On The Grapevine has won three of his first four starts and is already progressing through the grades well.
Owner-trainer Peter Dooner has high hopes for the sprinter and reckons he is one to watch here.
“I’m fairly confident,” Dooner said. “He should jump quite well from box three.
“He has to progress a little bit more over the 500m but I’m hoping we can give eventually take him to Wentworth Park or Sandown.
“He is a front runner and they always have a chance.
“He is only a young dog but we’ll go through the grades and see how he goes.”
Dooner’s charge has already shown he is a handy railer and seems ideally suited to his home track.
He looks a good chance here but could face strong opposition from Pale Ale (box four).
The experienced sprinter has belatedly hit good form with four straight victories.
The three other Heats have thrown up some interesting battles between local hopes and travellers.
Tiggerlong Killa (box two) looks the pick in the first Heat, having made a handy start to his racing career.
Michael Finn’s sprinter has won three of his first six starts – all at Wagga – and looks to have drawn well here.
Home hopeful Motangi looks the likely standout in Heat two.
Heat four looks another close affair with Uno Hugo (box one) looking the best bet.
Dooner has been training intermittently for about 30 years and also owns and breeds greyhounds alongside partner Donna Morden.
He combines his role with running a ceramic tiling business and says “having a system” is the key to juggling activities.
“I get up early, see to the dogs, go and do my best at work and then do it all again the next day,” he said.
“My partner is a tremendous help. I don’t think you can do this without having that support.
“It’s a hobby, it’s exercise and something to do besides work.
“I still get 100 per cent enjoyment out of it.”
In other action at Wagga, Knocka’s Choir (race ten, box one) looks the best bet of the day.
Ten races are on the card at Wagga and action starts at 5.28pm.
For Wagga Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
