By Alex Nolan
Western Sydney trainer Darren Sultana sees no reason why Mr. America can’t improve with his third look of the straight track at Capalaba in Sunday’s Origin Final.
The winner of 13 from 15 starts at the Richmond Straight track made a successful debut north of the border when he won the Straight of Origin NSW heat in 19.76 seconds on Sunday.
Known for his tendency to crash to the fence when racing at Richmond, the George Kairouz and Terry Hill-owned son of Se Tali Sundance was perfectly drawn in box one for his heat where he beat home kennel mate Slingshot Hooks by three lengths.
Sultana made the decision to head north with the former Victorian after a pleasing trial behind the drag lure at Appin.
He said this week’s box draw will play a crucial role in determining Sunday’s winner, who will take home $15,600 for their connections.
“I can’t see why he wouldn’t improve,” Sultana said.
“He is racing against the locals with more knowledge of the track but last Sunday was just his second look on a quick turnaround after I trialled him and went back.
“If he draws the middle or the outside at Richmond, he knocks dogs over looking for the fence … I do feel bad because he’s a big dog but what can you do?
“If he can follow the drag, he shouldn’t cause any problems.
"We’ll see how the draw pans out this week.”
Mr. America started his career with six consecutive wins for trainer Jason Thompson and was a Group 2 Finalist up the straight in the Horsham Cup before picking up an Achilles Tendon injury.
He returned from surgery to finish second in a Geelong Derby final before being sent to Sultana’s kennels at Londonderry.
“Touch wood he seems to be holding up having kept him up the straight,” Sultana said.
“He was a good dog in Melbourne, he just had a few niggles.”
Part-owner Hill will be desperate for some Origin redemption after his beloved Blues were the subject of upset defeats in the TAB Origin Greyhound Series at Albion Park earlier this month and the rugby league series at Suncorp Stadium 24 hours earlier.
“I think Terry would be happy with a win,” Sultana said.
Mr. America will join Slingshot Hooks, Cash View and Country Double to take on four Queenslanders looking to keep the cash at home.
Impressive youngster Black Comanche was the fastest qualifier in 19.61 seconds for trainer Greg Stella, which followed his ultra-tough TAB Origin Emerging Stars win at Albion Park on July 14.