Fleetwood Kazak Faces Stern Kanyana Cup Test

FLEETWOOD Kazak faces a tough task in the final of the Kanyana Cup (488m) at Mandurah this Friday according to trainer Damien Crudeli but the Nambeelup mentor remains optimistic about his greyhound's long-term prospects. 

The promising blue and white chaser booked his spot in the trophy decider with an impressive run in his heat, where he clocked a PB 27.45.

From box two, Fleetwood Kazak captured the lead early and then held a comfortable margin throughout the race before crossing the line three-and-half lengths ahead of runner-up West On Cole.

It was Fleetwood Kazak's first win since he took out the Puppy Classic at Cannington at the start of February.

"He drew well and had a couple of dogs that like to use a little bit of the track early, which gave him that little bit of galloping room to push through," Crudeli said of the heat win.  

"Once he hit the front, well, I wouldn't have said it was all over but he ended up winning very well from that point."

A repeat performance in Friday's final looks more difficult.

Fleetwood Kazak will jump from six against a competitive field, which includes fastest qualifier Toad. 

Toad clocked a very slick 27.24 in his heat after leading all the way from box one and he figures to play a big role again in the final from an inside draw. 

"Box six at Mandurah is always a worry, even for the best of dogs," Crudeli said.

"It's probably one of the worst boxes to draw at Mandurah because you've got the eight and seven coming down on you and the rest of the field just jamming up. 

"So unless you're beginning out in the front, you're in a bit of trouble in terms of trying to get room to move.

"He has to step with them. If he steps with him, he'll hold his line and up the back straight, he will go around."

Beyond this weekend's race, Crudeli believes Fleetwood Kazak can have a bright future as long as the dog can mature and develop better race smarts.

"I think he's still on the improve," he said.

"He's only just gone two years old and I think that his best racing still ahead of him. 

"I certainly don't think he's a champion, don't get me wrong, but I think he's a probably a smart city five level type of dog and he's going to be able to match the city fives here in WA."