Nangar Chief Leads Barnes' Grafton Maiden Trio

JOCK and Archie Spratt are the apple of their grandfather Dennis Barnes' eye going into the final of the time-honoured July Maiden (450m) at Grafton on Wednesday night.

Dennis has three finalists in the rich maiden, Nangar Archie (box one), Nangar Chief (box two) and Nangar Rocket (box eight).

“I had first pick and got the rails for Nangar Archie,” said Dennis. “Then my son-in-law Chris Spratt had next pick for us and he got the two for Nangar Chief.

“My grandsons Jock (10) and Archie (7) both went up to pick the box for Nangar Rocket. Archie had made up his mind, but Jock talked him out of what he was going for.

“They then picked the eight and that is exactly the box Nangar Rocket needs.”

Dennis has won the July Maiden “a couple of times” in the past and believes this is a tough one to win in 2022.

“There are some very good dogs in the final and Evelyn Harris' dog Lee's Tiger will be hard to beat,” he said. “If it leads we will be lucky to run him down.”

Dennis believes his best chances are Chief and Rocket.

With heats of the Grafton Maiden kicking off the carnival on Sunday – this #FlashbackFriday, we go back one year when Zipping Maserati won the final on the brand new track!

Who wins it this year?

Catch the all the action on Sunday at https://t.co/xCb2G2T1Nq#thedogs pic.twitter.com/ifQE1C2uET

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) July 1, 2022

“If I had to make a choice between our three, I would have to go with Chief out of the two,” he said.

“But, Rocket is perfectly boxed. He is very strong and if he gets his chance at the leaders he will be tough to hold out. He needs to stay in touch with the leaders though.”

The Barnes family has been going to Grafton for the July carnival for 30 years, and Dennis admits to be an avid fan of the new track.

“I love it,” he said. “Dogs go into those turns so clean. But, the 450 metres is a much harder run than the old 407 metre distance of the maiden.

“You need stronger dogs now.”

Chief and Rocket are littermates by Feral Franky-Little Nangar while Archie is Kinloch Brae-All Too Fancy.

Lee's Tiger (Sennachie-Black Lee Bonus) is likely favourite for the final after running the quickest of the heats with a 25.30 and beating Nangar Rocket by a length.