Mark Wilcox is confident evergreen Knocka’s Return can triumph again at tonight’s Bulli meeting.
The country greyhound jumps from box one in the www.stayersclubnsw.net Stakes (590m, race five) and looks a strong chance to record victory number 26 in his stellar career.
Knocka’s Return had his first run over this distance last week and produced a strong 33.57 effort to finish runner-up behind Martin Clegg.
He is approaching veteran status but is well drawn here and owner-trainer Wilcox believes another success is possible.
“He is not a good beginner but he is well drawn for sure,” he said. “If he sticks on the rail and keeps with them down the back straight, he should then explode towards the finish.
“He's still running unbelievable times. He may be four now but he’s running like an 18-month-old.
“I’m expecting a good run from him here.”
Knocka’s Return is terrific from the inside, with four wins and four placings from eight starts with the red rug.
Bulli has also been a happy hunting ground for the son of Knocka Norris x Winning Shiraz, who has won nine times at the NSW South Coast track.
The sprinter and his two littermates, Highly Respected and Natural Player, have won almost 80 races combined and have been three of NSW’s most consistent greyhounds in the last two years.
Wilcox said Natural Player is being primed for the forthcoming Bulli Gold Cup (472m), where he should be a decent contender.
Wilcox is planning to keep Knocka’s Return over the middle distances, with next week’s 590m Challenge Series heats at Bulli the next goal.
“He’s been a wonderful greyhound for me,” Wilcox said. “When they get older then understandably lose a bit out of the boxes, but he’s still running great times.
“He will run 600 metres all day long and with this draw, I think he can win.”
Another Bulli standout, Paua To Roar, looks a strong chance in race six over 472m.
Steve White’s greyhound has won four and placed twice on her seven previous visits to Bulli and is ideally drawn in box three.
Klienzan has endured mixed fortunes since returning from a two-month spell in March but can take race four.
He won impressively on his last visit to Bulli and has good ability despite his lightly raced record over the last 15 months.
Zambora Dynamo and Big Time Sprite look the standouts in races one and two respectively.
For Bulli Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
