Nugget Set For Devonport Cup Task

TRAINER Robin Grubb is confident his star sprinter Hello Nugget is in the form to mix it with some of the state's most talented chasers when the old-marvel tackles Tuesday afternoon's Group 3 Dowling McCarthy Tyres Devonport Cup (452m).

 Veteran of 85 career starts, Hello Nugget, an October '14 son of Fabregas and Stylish Abbey, boasts stellar form at the north-coast circuit, recording twelve victories, with a sizzling personal best time of 25.36 for the 452-metre journey, posted last June.

Hello Nugget opened proceedings in the first of eight heats last Tuesday afternoon, the $3.60 favourite jumping brilliantly from the inside draw, leading throughout to score by 4 ¼ lengths over Buckle Up Dino and Sleater in 25.79.

"I couldn't be happier – he's just an honest chaser," said trainer Robin Grubb earlier this week.

"Some dogs that get past three years of age tend to fall away or start to lose form where this bloke just gives his all every time he races, there has been a few niggling injuries but as long as you treat them right and give him time he just comes back in good shape.

"Nugget is four and a half now and looks better than ever. He would have to be the most consistent dog we've had in the kennel. It's pretty satisfying to see him compete with the best and drawing box one was a big advantage in his heat."

Home-bred Hello Nugget has been a model of consistency in his 85-start career, all in Tasmania.

Winning 27 races, Hello Nugget has won on all three Tassie tracks, with his best performances on the horse shoe tracks at Hobart and Devonport.

Despite a brilliant heat display, Hello Nugget is a $31 outsider from box three for Tuesday's $25,000 to-the-winner final.

"Hello Nugget is pretty easy to train, as long as he stays sound," Grubb added.

"It doesn't take much to keep him up, he'll head into the final with confidence but to beat a dog like Despacito is a big task. For this dog to be competitive in this race he would really need to reproduce his best first split to be amongst them.

"Whatever the result we will be happy because at the end of the day he doesn't need to prove anything to us – he's an iron dog and is very special to the family."