CLASSY stayer Lillycette has the chance to represent Tasmania at the National Distance Championship in Sydney next week if she can emerge triumphant in the state final of the series over 720 metres at UBET Racing Centre in Launceston tonight.
Lillycette is one of Tasmania’s most promising staying greyhounds and should she mirror her effort to win a series prelude in Launceston last week over 720 metres she looms as the one to beat in tonight’s final.
The Ted Medhurst-trained bitch has been a model of consistency in her home state and she also has been competitive when travelled interstate.
She has won nine of her 15 attempts on the Launceston circuit and she has won 19 times during a career that spans 30 starts in Tasmania.
Lillycette has drawn box seven and with two relatively slow beginners on her inside she has the chance to lead.
The only danger at the start could come from her kennel mate Mandy Charm that is drawn on her outside (8) and she can be very fast from the boxes.
Lillycette led last week and gave nothing else a chance on her way to a three-length win over Midnight Bird that has drawn box one and that will give him every chance to turn the tables.
The winner will progress to the National Distance Championship final over 720 metres at Wentworth Park in Sydney on August 22 and Lillycette has had experience on that track, having been there a few times for a couple of encouraging seconds in good races.
By Peter Staples