EVERY time that Bathurst greyhound trainer Ashley Lamb has entered a runner in the prestigious Soldiers Saddle series, it has advanced to the final. In 2016 it has been no different.
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But when the 520 metres decider which offers a $10,000 purse is contested at Kennerson Park on Monday, Lamb hopes his chance Stunning Lola can finally land him a win.
Lamb has twice had chasers finish amongst the placings, Sonomie being the runner-up in 2004 while three years later Flying Mitch ran third.
He would dearly love a win to add to that collection of placings.
"This is the fifth time I've had a dog in the final, I've only entered it five times, so I've got a pretty good strike rate,” Lamb said.
"I've made a lot of finals, but I've never won one, I've come second and I've come third, but I've never won it.
"This year I've made it again, but there's a very good dog in it, so I'll have to see how I go.”
The talented rival Lamb refers to is the Denice Warren, Goulburn trained Willie Blues.
An El Grand Senor x Bogie Dawn dog, he boasts the quickest time over the distance of any runner in Monday’s final – a 29.62 seconds effort.
Stunning Lola, who won her saddle heat and placed second in last Monday’s semi-final, has a personal best of 30.24. Still, she has drawn well and Lamb is hopeful of a strong showing.
"The favourite has drawn five and she's inside him in box four, but she does prefer the outside boxes,” he said.
“Most of the races she has won have come from box seven, eight or six, but in saying that, she did win in a final in Richmond from box two.
"She's a very smart beginner, that's why it suits her outside, she has got the early speed to cover them to the corner.
"But she doesn't need any interference - the first 50 metres will give you an indication of what will happen in the race.”
Monday’s feature is the third final Stunning Lola has qualified for in her 16-start career thus far.
She won a series decider at Richmond and placed fourth in another at Canberra after coping interference. Lamb specifically targeted the Soldiers Saddle series with her.
"I actually held her back for a couple of weeks for this, she had five wins up and that was the cut off point, so I thought I'd put her in this and see if she could get through to the final,” he said.
"It is one of the best races here each year.”
Monday’s final will jump at 6pm.
