On The Rocks Set For Likely Laurels Start

DONNA Campbell has never raced in Melbourne before, or anywhere interstate for that matter.

But that's expected to change this Sunday with her exciting bitch On The Rocks a likely runner in the Group 2 Laurels (515m) at Sandown Park.

"I'd say we're swaying more towards going than not at the moment," Campbell said.

"It's a big ask for a young bitch to go to a new track first up but you only get one go at age races like this against your own sex so you need to strike while the iron's hot.

"She's pulled up great from Saturday night which has made it an easier call as well. We'll weigh up the pros and cons and decide for sure by Wednesday afternoon."

On Saturday night at Wentworth Park, On The Rocks backed up her hugely impressive debut city victory with a resounding win in the $10,000-to-the-winner Ladbrokes Bitches Only Final (520m).

The daughter of El Grand Senor again recorded dazzling sectionals, including a blinding 5.36 early, before stopping the clock in 29.75.

She simply ran her rivals off their legs with a phenomenal showing of sustained speed.

"Being a front-runner like she is gives you that bit more confidence to go to a track first up," Campbell said.

"After the Laurels I still have a month to get her ready for the National Futurity which is important. The way she's going a race like the Laurels is hard to ignore."

Heats of the Laurels, open to bitches whelped from June 2018, are to be staged at Sandown this Sunday with the rich final to be run and won four days later on Thursday week.

"The short turn around between the heats and final isn't ideal," Campbell said.

"If we go I'll travel down with one of her owners Penny. She has a big campervan so we'll stay down there between the heats and the final if she gets through.

"I've never raced in Melbourne before. I've had dogs good enough but just decided there's enough good races here in New South Wales to concentrate on.

"Things have changed a lot in two weeks. I was planning on doing some Christmas shopping this weekend and now it looks like I'm off to Melbourne."