Mellcat Heading South After Southern Stars

TRACK specialist Mellcat Big Boy takes on a super field of sprinters in Friday's Southern Stars Final (440m) at Goulburn and is likely to head south to Victoria straight after the race.

Part-owner and trainer John Mellon said on Wednesday the son of Raw Ability-Mellcat Magic only needs a clear run to be right in the finish of the $50,000-to-the-winner final after winning his heat in 24.66, but with a career best of 24.26 to his credit.

“I've already spoken to Steve White in Victoria about taking him back with him after Friday's final for all the big one-turn Cups coming up there,” said John.

FIELDS AND FORM GOULBURN FRIDAY

White sent Paua Of Buddy back to owner David Jones to prepare for the Southern Stars and he too is a finalist in box four, and will head back to White after the final.

Mellcat Big Boy is drawn to perfection according to Mellon having won four of five starts from the seven box.

With Mellcat Big Boy's local win in the #SouthernStars heat earlier today, this #FlashbackFriday we remember when he broke the @goulburn_grc 440m record in April last year!

Wow would then go on to break that record, but what a win this was…#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/2xtgvple9A

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) July 22, 2022

“And, you can expect a bit of improvement from him in the final,” he said.

“We had him a little underdone for the heat and he should go to the line stronger in the final.”

Mellon rates Paua Of Buddy the hardest to beat despite the presence of superstar bitch Good Odds Cash, winner of 26 races and $306,000.

“His run to win the Wagga heat was huge,” said Mellon. “And I saw him trial 24.40 at Goulburn the week before. He will be hard to toss.”

Mellon is hopeful Midnight Return and Aston Barak, drawn either side of Mellcat Big Boy dwell and give his dog  room to move early.

“If you look at all the sectionals, there is nothing between six of them,” he said.

“And, I hope Crowdza Dazzled comes out great and heads left to crowd up those inside him. That's our chance.

“Mellcat Big Boy still holds the run home record at Goulburn. Nothing will be finishing better than him.

“But, what a great race this is and I can only wish everyone in the final the best of luck.”

Mellcat Big Boy has started at Goulburn 16 times for eight wins and seven of those have been over 440m.

Mellon said he also could send youngster Mellcat Coral to Victoria with White.

She is a Feral Franky bitch and a half sister to Mellcat Big Boy.

“She has enormous potential,” said Mellon. “She is learning the trade at the moment, but I expect her to be better than her brother in the long term.”