Written by Gerard Guthrie courtesy of www.thedogs.com.au
Several years after Steve White took Australian greyhound racing by storm with his immortal bitch Paua To Burn, the Nowra-based trainer is back on the Group One trail with semi-finalists in both the National Derby and Futurity at The Gardens on Friday afternoon.
Droopy’s Fool will contest the first of two Derby semis, while Paua To Erupt, a daughter of White’s Hall of Famer Paua To Burn, is engaged in the opening Futurity qualifier.
Both made their Gardens debuts in last Friday’s Derby and Futurity heats, with Droopy’s Fool impressive in winning a star-studded run-off, while Paua To Erupt ran third in her Futurity heat.
Droopy’s Fool clocked 29.88s in the opening round of the Derby series, leaving a hot field in his wake, including boom trio Silent Guardian, Outa Credit and Lochinvar Marlow.
His semi-final task will again will be a tough one, with his opponents including equal fastest heat winner Elite Blue Size, star Victorian Silent Guardian once again and Gosford Cup finalist Bogie Brave, however White is hopeful his lightly-raced charge can qualify for the Derby decider.
“He’s not a bad dog, everywhere he’s gone he’s won and run time,” White offered.
“We had a bit of a hiccup with him a few weeks ago when he picked up an infection and he had two starts at Wenty where he wasn’t himself but then he went good at Wenty and then at The Gardens last week.
“Neither of them had been to The Gardens before their heats and I was just lucky they both drew box one. Droopy’s Fool has drawn close to the fence again this week (three) which is good because you really have to draw between one and four to be any chance at The Gardens.
“I expect him to improve this week and the key to his chances is getting over to the fence. I don’t think his semi is any harder than last week’s heat and he’s definitely capable of running in the first four and making it into the final.
“He’s definitely my best chance on Friday. I really only took Paua To Erupt along with him and it would be a feather in her cap if she could make the final.
“In saying that, she was a bit unlucky in her heat and she’s got good pace. She’s drawn well again (two) and her best chance is if she can beat the red (Daydream) out and get on the fence.
“I won a few Group races since Paua To Burn with Stole The Show but it would be nice to be back in a Group One again so hopefully one or both of them can make it through.”
