Master trainer Kel Greenough has turned talking down his greyhounds’ chances in feature races into an artform – and considering the great success he and wife Jackie have enjoyed over a long period, he’s had plenty of practice.
But the astute Pearcedale mentor is finding it tough to come up with negatives for Saturday night’s raging hot Group 1 KCR Pet Transport Maturity Classic (525m) favourite Wow She’s Fast.
‘Millionaire’ Wow She’s Fast dominates TAB’s market on the age-restricted Maturity at $1.40 after a runaway 29.56sec Best Of Night heat victory.
She then drew Box 1, further tightening her grip on the $100,000 to-the-winner final.
“I’ve seen greyhounds get beaten for a variety of reasons, so you’ll never get me saying something is an absolute moral.”
The daughter of three-time G1 winner My Bro Fabio is also undefeated in two appearances at The Meadows, winning the inaugural TAB Phoenix last December in another scorching run of 29.66sec.
“How can I talk her down. Let me think!” quipped Greenough.
“I could say she pulled up a bit flat after her first ‘500’ for six weeks. But she didn’t, so we can’t use that!
“I’m never over-confident. It’s a dog race and I’ve seen greyhounds get beaten for a variety of reasons, so you’ll never get me saying something is an absolute moral.
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“It’s pretty hard to say you wouldn’t be happy with Box 1, but she’s still got to come out of the boxes and take advantage of it.”
Winner of 13 from 18, Wow She’s Fast is chasing her second G1 trophy after winning the female only Sapphire Crown at Sandown Park in a scintillating 28.82sec in May, just .03 outside Aston Rupee’s track record.
After winning the G3 Speed Star at the same track at her next start, Wow She’s Fast wasn’t seen in action until last Saturday’s Maturity heats, but the time off proved to be absolutely no concern.
WATCH: Inaugural Phoenix winner WOW SHE’S FAST (B4) made it two from two at The Meadows when winning her Group 1 Maturity Classic heat (525m) in a scorching Best Of Night 29.56sec.
“You never know when you’re bringing dogs back after some time off; you’ve got to balance it right, have them fit enough,” Greenough explained.
“It’s not an easy thing to do but fortunately it worked out.
“She’d had a couple of nice trials leading up to the heats, but she hadn’t had a ‘500’ since she won the Speed Star at Sandown (May 26).
“She missed the kick twice previously after a break, and she didn’t come out that well in her heat, but she mustered very quickly. She has a will to win, this bitch, which is what I really like about her, and she chases exceptionally well.”
Such is Wow She’s Fast’s perceived stranglehold on the Maturity, impressive male heat winners Amron Boy (29.75sec) and Plaintiff (29.85sec) are her only rivals at single figures, both rated at $7.
“You never count your chickens; she’s still got to win the race,” Greenough said.
“I thought Amron Boy ran a terrific race last week and so did Plaintiff. They’re two outstanding dogs and if they’re able to get across they’ll be hard to beat.”
WOW SHE’S FAST made a stunning return to the track in the Maturity Classic heats.
