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Charlie Lamb is downplaying Lucy Lobster’s hopes in Friday’s Group 2 PPK Group Limited Maitland Cup heats (450m) but thinks his injury-hampered charge may have some big titles left in her.
Last year’s Group 1 Vic Peters Classic winner (pictured) resumes after two months out in the second of eight terrific heats of the $40,000-to-the-winner series.
The classy sprinter has been limited to just six starts since that memorable victory in October last year due to a metacarpal wrist injury.
Trainer Lamb admits Lucy Lobster is far from 100 per cent fit but still believes she has the ability to beat the best.
“I think she’s only 60 or 70 per cent there, fitness-wise,” he said. “I haven’t had time to put the work into her I would have liked.
“But has she still got that Group-winning ability? For sure she has.
“We think we have got on top of the injuries. I think she just needs races now.
“We’ll see how she goes but I wouldn’t rule her out.”
The daughter of legendary Brett Lee and double Group winner One Tree Hill is at least racing on arguably her favourite track.
She has four wins and three minor placings from nine visits to Maitland and ran .17 outside the 450m track record there on her last start.
Watch a replay of Lucy Lobster's last start win at Maitland here.
Lucy Lobster’s tough opposition here includes Winsome Mission and My Boy Snoop and she has struggled from the wide boxes.
With her devastating early speed, though, she certainly cannot be ruled out of contention.
Exciting Black Frenzy, who is unbeaten in five starts and looks a potential star, looks the best bet of the day in heat seven.
Another from the Jason Mackay kennel, Megan Keeping, looks the pick in the eighth and final heat.
Others to watch in the heats include flying Camacho in heat five and last Saturday night’s Group 3 New Sensation runner-up Spacecraft (heat six).
The latter has been one of NSW’s most exciting greyhounds in recent months and looks a strong chance to claim his first Group title.
One roughie chance for the series could be excellent wide runner Sudoku Rebel, who goes in the first heat.
The much-travelled sprinter looks ideally drawn here in box eight and has been very consistent in recent weeks.
The Maitland Cup final will take place next Friday.
For Maitland Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
