Unbeaten western districts bitch Ruby Keeping has been the subject of a $50,000 purChase bid on the eve of her first Sydney appearance at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
The CharmaineRoberts-owned and trained speedster has box one in race 10, a 520m fifth grade, and goes into the race after four straight 516m wins at Dubbo.
Roberts' partner Shayne Stiff said: "We have fielded several big offers for Ruby Keeping including one of $50,000.
"But we are not interested in selling.
"We believe Ruby Keeping has enormous potential because in her past two Dubbo wins she has clocked 29.67 and then 29.64 and a dog like Feral Franky won his second start over 516m at Dubbo in 29.65.
"Besides that Ruby Keeping has terrific brood bitch potential because she is by the boom American sire Superior Panama.
"Ruby Keeping has had a look at Wentworth Park and went fairly well in a box-to-box hit-out.
"On the trip from Dubbo to the track she got car sick because it was her first time experiencing a long journey so we didn't expect her to run flash time.
"We would like to have given her a second trial, out of the 520m boxes, but restricted trialling opportunities prevented that happening.
"Thankfully she has come up with box one which is great and if she goes well we plan to put her in the heats of the group 1 National Futurity at Wentworth Park next Friday night.''
Victorian trainer Dustin Drew grew up admiring the training prowess of Sydney's Mark Gatt and John and Minnie Finn and concedes he is in awe of racing against them at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Drew has four runners at Wenty, with Aston Marvel in box eight in race one, Zambora Richie in two in race three, Aston Harlow in box six in race seven and his classy stayer Untapped to exit box three in race eight, a 720m Free-For-All.
"Aston Marvel and Untapped are the best of my quartet but while Aston Marvel would be better suited from an inside box he has a big motor,'' Drew said.
"It has taken a while for the penny to drop with him but when he gets the start right he can show good early zip.
"Untapped has been racing in group races in Victoria and she is a front running stayer whose 'go' is to get out in front and run them off their legs.
"But I'm far from confident this week because Stanley Road has box one against her and he is a fantastic greyhound, the best stayer in Australia, while John and Minnie Finn have Zipping Virginia in box eight.
"When I was growing up I thought Sydney trainers like Mark Gatt and John and Minnie Finn were the best in the business and here I am about to race against them.
"I must admit I'm a bit awestruck at the prospect.''
Drew said Zambora Richie is better than his past four starts for a win and a second at Horsham and Warrnambool would suggest, pointing out: "He is a better dog on a two turn track like Wentworth Park.
"But like my other entries he has not seen the track.
"Aston Harlow is a funny greyhound, she either goes terrific or absolutely terrible, there is no half-way with her.''
Coast Model, among the early picks for the Paws Of Thunder series, stands out in Saturday's top grade 520m event after drawing box one, especially as she has wide running Chase Me Honey outside her in box two.
