Start Crucial To Reuber's Jimmy Jenkins Hopes

TRAINER Glen Goodwin couldn't think of a more satisfying race to win than tomorrow night's Ladbrokes sponsored Jimmy Jenkins Memorial Final (472m) at Bulli.

The $15,000-to-the-winner finale staged in honour of the revered Jimmy Jenkins who passed away in 2020 aged 98.

"Jimmy was nature's gentleman," Goodwin said.

FIELDS AND FORM BULLI WEDNESDAY NIGHT

"A lot of people wouldn't know these days but back in the 1980s you'd go to Jimmy to get your dogs marked for the old papers.

"He was just a fantastic man and loved his greyhound racing. It's terrific his memory is honoured with this race each year at Bulli."

Here's the box draw for the Ladbrokes Jimmy Jenkins Memorial at Bulli – who's your tip in the Final on Wednesday night?

Replays and form: https://t.co/M8SyFy61W0#thedogs #greyhoundracing @ladbrokescomau @tabcomau @sportsbetcomau @TopSport_com_au @NedsAus @BlueBetAu @PalmerbetAU pic.twitter.com/Dwpgc5M4S6

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) May 29, 2023

Glen and wife Robyn take a two-pronged attack into Wednesday night's decider with litter brother and sister Reuber and Velocity Stevie drawing alongside each other in boxes three and four respectively.

By champion sire Barcia Bale, the pair are out of Goodwin's 2018 Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic winner Velocity Liberty, the former star racer proving to be equally successful off the track as she was on.

"Reuber has a huge motor but his box manners let him down," Goodwin said.

"I'd say he's the fastest dog in the final but it will just come down to how he begins. 

"Five starts ago at Bulli he came out running and went 9.91 early and won in 26.09. Going into that race we did quite a bit of box work with him and we've done the same things going into this week.

"Hopefully it does the trick – the ability is there he just needs to be more consistent if he's going to go through the grades."

While Velocity Stevie doesn't boast the unbridled talent of her brother, she is still more than handy in her own right, winning six of her 19 starts, three of those victories at Bulli.

"She's all heart – a demon chaser," Goodwin said.

"Last week in the heats she was taking ground off the winner Weffalee Shield (in 26.32) in the run to the line and I thought her effort was great.

"I never rule her out of anything. If Reuber misses it she may get that room to move early.”

Craig Chappelow's Sweet City Gal is the fastest qualifier for the @ladbrokescomau Jimmy Jenkins Memorial, which will be run next Wednesday at Bulli!

She clocked 26.28s in her 2.5L victory over Venetian Fury in heat 3.

Full Results: https://t.co/eUDJ9UUrFU

#thedogs pic.twitter.com/9dG9vmE0Xy

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) May 23, 2023

With a red hot field set to tackle Wednesday night's finale, Goodwin says the start will prove pivotal.

"If Reuber begins then if you're on him you can probably start cheering," he said.

"It's a really strong field so whoever comes out on top will have earned it."

On top of his two final hopefuls, Goodwin has maiden Suave Ethics (race 1, box 8) and Entrusted (race 9, box 4) engaged.

"Suave Ethics wants the inside so box eight won't do him any favours," Goodwin said.

"Entrusted looks to have found a nice race. It looks like a 22.50-60 field and he can run that. 

"I give him a real good chance tomorrow night."