WAGGA owner/breeder Mick Finn is confident Tiggerlong Tonk can continue his career best form and put himself in the mix to win greyhound racing's biggest prize after his scorching victory in the Melbourne Cup heats on Friday.
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The multiple Group One winner started beautifully from box four to easily account for his rivals in a heat-best time of 29.16 seconds over the 515m Sandown Park circuit, his 32nd win from 60 starts.
The two-year-old was a narrow favourite before Sunday morning's box draw, but is now on the third line of betting for Friday's final at $4 after drawing box eight, behind Simon Told Helen (box two, $2.50) and Shima Shine (box seven, $3.70).
However Tiggerlong Tonk is a renowned strong starter and boasts six wins and two placings in nine starts wearing the pink rug.
Finn now has a one in eight shot of sharing in the $435,000 first prize, and is bullish about Tiggerlong Tonk's chances.
He said Simon Told Helen is a justifiable favourite after the box draw.
"He ran a bit of time and did everything right, this week he has to reproduce that again," Finn said.
"Simon Told Helen should just lead with her speed, and Shima Shine drawing the inside of us is good because he usually comes across a bit and it should give our a bit of room. Hopefully they jam up on the corner and he can get around the outside.
"He's usually a bit stronger than Helen at the end, so we'll see what happens. He's one of those dogs that goes from every box and runs straight, and has always been a reliable beginner."
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