Who's Fault chases riches

Eventual winner: Ground and Pound leads the pack.

THE PFD Foodservices final at the Grafton Greyhound Race Club today looks to be a tricky affair following three evenly contested heats last week.

While trainers Bob Huntington and Ted Pomfrett have the weight of numbers on their side with two runners each, it is the Don Smith-trained Who's Fault which looks as though it will carry the bulk of the punters' hard-earned based on her brilliant 22.89-second July maiden classic heat victory. On that occasion she utilised the 1 box to perfection to record a time which is rarely seen for a maiden dog.

In her heat Who's Fault was a little slowly away and soon after found plenty of interference, so her effort to finish strongly for second to gain a finals berth was full of merit. Who's Fault started a short-priced $1.90 favourite on that occasion and punters could well expect to get a little better odds today on the score of that defeat and her squeeze box draw in the 5 alley.

The fastest heat winner was the Bob Huntington-trained Travel Bronco who made full use of box 1 when an impressive 23.09 second winner and, if he can somehow find a clear run across to the rails, then he is certainly right in this final. However from the 4 box, Travel Bronco may just provide Who's Fault with the necessary clear running early on that she requires.

Of the others the run of Air Force Fred for Stephen Sherwell was also quite good to finish second behind Travel Bronco considering he was having his first look at the track.

Two tough heats of the Shiralee Produce Blue Paws maiden series will be conducted and with not a lot of exposed form these look to be tough races.

Heat 1 looks to be a match between Major Lyndan, Zac Junior and Uptown Diva based on some handy form here at Grafton while in heat 2 Queensland trainer Peter Wilson looks to have a bright prospect with In Brief who has been placed behind the smart Italian Romance in Brisbane while Dinkum Devil could also expect to produce a bold effort after being unplaced behind Who's Fault in the rich July maiden series.

It is great to see top grade racing return to the Grafton circuit with a smart line up engaged in the Carter's Canine Capers Best 8. The likes of Northern Echo, Orara Jack, Rich Accent, Star Bomber, etc. will ensure this will be a hotly contested affair. Northern Echo looks to be the one to beat with his early speed likely to have him in a forward position, however this is a field which is full of class and a win from anyone of his rivals would not surprise.

Casino trainer Janice McLean regularly ventures to Grafton with success and, with Cindy Bond sitting up nicely in box 1 in the Surf Lorian @ Stud maiden over 305 metres, that trend looks likely to continue. Cindy Bond stepped out in a Performance Trial here last week over this distance and she showed a win is not far away courtesy of her smart 17.75 second trial win. Throw in a favourable box 1 draw and Cindy Bond looks to be the best bet of the day.

Local trainer Stephen Attwater has been trekking around the countryside of late with his smart greyhound Bond James Bond with a degree of success and he looks nicely placed in the Henwood's Hot Bread Shop Fifth grade over 407 metres. As the winner of seven of his 17 race starts, Bond James Bond looks nicely in this Fifth grade event and with even luck from the boxes looks to be a strong chance of taking home the dough.

Racing gets underway at 12.48pm with an attractive 10-event card set for decision.