Embrace Eyes Second Group 1 In Paws Decider

CRAIG Chappelow sat back and studied the form for next Saturday night's Group 1 Paws Of Thunder final (520m) at Wentworth Park and marveled at how strong the race is, and how tough it will be to win.

Craig's gallant bitch Embrace (Turanza Bale-Twisted Love) flew the lids and led throughout to win her heat on Saturday night in 29.70 beating Sound Of Silence by three lengths.

It was a welcome return to form for the G1 Peter Mosman Opal winner who has been a multiple feature race finalists in her short race career.

“Wow,” said Craig. “It's a pretty tough field and no matter how hard you look at it, there is not one finalist that does not have a great chance.”

Embrace has drawn the seven in the final and Craig is happy with that.

“She does like to scout a little wide early and she won the Peter Mosman off the eight box,” he said.

“She will stay straight early but will need some luck at the first bend.

Craig has taken his bitch north to Albion Park and Ipswich for age races, and down to Melbourne.

A return to Wentworth Park Greyhounds was the key to Embrace's success tonight in her Paws of Thunder heat – find out the all details from trainer Craig Chappelow!#thedogs #pawsofthunder #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/l0066UEwXA

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) January 14, 2023

“She had no luck in Melbourne, and I just don't think Albion Park suited her,” he said.

“Even though she did make a couple of Group finals there.”

Craig raves about the bitch and the thrills he has already enjoyed with her.

“She's been terrific, does everything right at home and just switches on at the track,” he said.

“But, she obviously loves Wenty.

“It's a big thrill to get into a Group 1 like the Paws Of Thunder, especially against this field of dogs.”

G1 Paws of Thunder (box draw): 1 French Martini, 2 Zipping Maserati, 3 Gatlin, 4 Coco Model, 5 Amron Boy, 6 Reflections, 7 Embrace, 8 She's A Pearl. Res: 9 Ibrox Wildfire, 10 Sound Of Silence.

Of her Paws rivals, Craig says French Martini drawn the rails must be hard to beat.,

“We chased her home in a maiden at The Gardens, then beat her in the Peter Mosman and she got us at The Gardens during the Black Top,” said Craig.

French Martini ran a scorching 29.45 to win her heat off the two beating Gatlin and Million Dollar Chase winner Mcinerney.

She's A Pearl, another Million Dollar Chase winner, bounced back to her best with a 29.62 win over Coco Model for Tayt Corless and she comes right into the race off box eight.

“She's unbeaten in five starts off the eight,” said Craig of the Jodie and Andy Lord-trained superstar.

Victorian star, Amron Boy, had a battle on his hands when he downed Ibrox Wildfire by three-quarters of a length in 29.85 in his heat win.

His final chances were dealt a blow with his box five draw.

“And, if he doesn't come out at Wenty from the middle it is a nightmare,” said Craig of Amron Boy.

Zipping Maserati was brilliant in leading throughout in 29.59 beating Reflections by a length and three-quarters.

“There is so much pace in the final.” said Craig.

“Reflections can come out running and Zipping Maserati was super impressive in beating him in the heat.

“As anyone can see, every single finalists has a hope.”