Trap eight for Victory Belle again

A WEEK in greyhound racing, especially at the top level, can be a long time.

We saw that in last Friday's open class 527m event, where the Lisa Ahern-trained Victory Belle stormed to an upset win.

In her race before last Friday, she had struck traffic problems after exiting from the eight trap.

Then in last week's version of this race, where again she stepped from trap eight, the gaps opened for her at the right time during the early rush.

Victory Belle didn't require a second invitation as she quickly dropped into a trailing position behind the pace-making Fabio.

Her staying strength came to the fore during the run home, giving Victory Belle her 30.31s win.

Amazingly, Victory Belle has yet again drawn out in trap eight for this evening's version of the open class 520m.

Again she will be looking for clear early racing room during the charge into the all-important first turn.

The recent Wanganui Cup winner Lonesome Nitro made an early mistake from the traps last week.

He was bold in the manner he recovered to claim his third placing for his trainer, Matt Roberts.

His claim on the thick end of the stake can never be dismissed.

Nathan Udy produced Fabio to split the pair last Friday.

It was a brave effort by him and he can replicate that performance by again seizing the early race lead here.

Ahern has another three runners engaged in this event.

Smash Allegro has drawn to contest the early pace from the ace trap.

He was impeded when vying for the race lead in Monday's $11,000 Manawatu 457m feature.

Winsome Jenny was hindered going into the first turn on Friday.

Her class can see her making her presence felt here, even though she has drawn poorly in trap five.

Marlisa copped an early check when making her NZ debut last week.

She is a likely improver following that, but she also needs to step better here.

Cawbourne Brick produced the fastest 520m time last Friday when he clocked 30.30s in a lower-grade event for Roberts.

He adds interest by making his return to open-class racing.

The field is completed by the locally Gary Ross and Sarah Voyce prepared Nitro Mary.

She was also hindered during the early rush from the traps last week.