Fancy Finish To Phil Davis Memorial?

ALAN Proctor would love nothing more than to win Friday night's Phil Davis Memorial Final (535m) at Richmond but admits he's got the job ahead with speedy heat winner Fancy Francene.

A moderate 31.16 winner last Friday in a roughhouse opening heat of the $6,000 to-the-winner series, Fancy Francene will exit box five in Friday night's finale, where the raging hot favourite is the Peter Lagogiane-trained Knighthood.

"Peter's dog went 30.48 and he looks like a really nice pup so he's the one to beat – it's a very good race," said a more hopeful than optimistic Proctor.

"It's taken a bit to work her (Fancy Francene) out since she came to us from Jeff (Britton) and Angela (Langton) but it was good to see her come back like she did after there was some trouble nearing the home turn last week.

"The one thing about her is that she does have good early speed, she went 5.28 early when I trialled her at Richmond and in a few of her Wenty runs she's gone 5.40 odd despite being disappointing, so if she did lead on Friday she's some chance."

Friday night's Phil Davis Memorial recognizes the outstanding service the late veterinarian provided the Richmond Race Club, and the wider greyhound industry, for the best part of four decades.

"Phil never said a lot but when he did you made sure you were listening, he was a very good man," reflected Proctor.

"He was a very knowledgeable man too … if I had problems with one I'd always seek his advice. Looking back where things were then to where they are today … it does make you appreciate his service over such a long time even more."

While the first Phil Davis heat was annexed by Fancy Francene last Friday in 31.16, the second heat went the way of Knighthood for Peter Lagogiane in a sizzling 30.48, defeating gallant runner-up Khatanga Port by three lengths.

The third heat was taken out by Bust A Record for Mark Suttle in 30.90, defeating a closing Chill Easy and Lights Out Tony by three-quarters of a length.

Knighthood, a son of Barcia Bale and Lonesome Knight, has now had six starts for three wins and three seconds, his blistering 30.48 Richmond win preceded by a scorching 29.36 Ladbrokes Gardens success.