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Jason Fletcher has issued a stark warning to Fantastic Dotty’s rivals in tonight’s Group 3 Dean Industrial Dapto Maiden Classic (520m) – his record-breaking pup is in prime condition for the decider.
The daughter of Goodesy and Light Fantastic (pictured with Fletcher) will start the $22,500-to-the-winner race as a red hot favourite from box two after smashing the Dapto track record twice in her first two starts.
Having shaved 0.01 off Double Twist’s previous track record with a scorching 29.43 run in the heats two weeks ago, Fantastic Dotty went even better with a 29.34 effort in last week’s semi-finals.
She is among an eye-catching litter which also features littermates Fantastic Tail and Fantastic Roxy, who both have multiple Wentworth Park wins already in their brief careers.
Fletcher has lodged an Expression of Interest for the forthcoming Group 1 Dapto Megastar with Fantastic Dotty and likes his greyhound's chances here.
“I’m going to Dapto with a happy and healthy greyhound,” owner-trainer Fletcher said. “She’s as good as she can be.
"Her time last week was insane for a greyhound on her second start. I didn’t expect that in my wildest dreams.
“As long as she gets a clear run here, she can take advantage of this good draw. It’s all systems go.”
Fletcher believes Owen Langley’s Become The Fuse (box one) will be the biggest threat to Fantastic Dotty in Thursday’s final.
The son of Magic Sprite and Prancing Uno has gone sub-30 seconds twice in the series so far, finishing a runner-up both times.
“Owen is a master trainer,” Fletcher said. “I think his greyhound will be hard to beat.
“(But) I’m just enjoying being around Dotty. I feel lucky to be in this position with her.”
Of the other Maiden finalists, Tilly’s Boy (box five) ran a strong 29.65 in the semi-finals and looks the biggest threat to Fantastic Dotty.
Tilly’s Boy’s trainer Dean Swain has high hopes for the son of Lochinvar Marlow and Cosmic Essence, who won his semi-final in 29.79.
The box draw for the Group 3 Dean Industrial Dapto Maiden Classic Final is: 1. Become The Fuse 2. Fantastic Dotty 3. Makenton Jag 4. Miracle 5. Tilly’s Boy 6. Snowed All Day 7. Zipping Bianca 8. Struggle Street. Reserves: 9. Zamperini, 10: Metal Magic.
In other Dapto action, the Garry Edwards-trained Shady Ace (box four) looks the night’s best bet in race seven.
She returns to Dapto for the first time in more than two months after performing excellently at Wentworth Park and has won three of her five previous starts from this box.
Bertacious Bee (box two), who has raced solidly since winning last year’s Group 2 Dapto Puppy Classic, has his second start over 600m in box four.
He ran a decent 34.64 to place here last week and has won three of his six starts from this draw.
For Dapto Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
