Webster Praying More Of The Same With Father Rick

TRAINER Ray Webster is searching for more of the same from Father Rick in Thursday night's heats of the Group 3 Middle Distance Championship (600m) at Dapto.

Last Thursday the underrated son of Fernando Bale roared into contention for the $25,000-to-the-winner series with a sparkling 34.13 victory over the Dapto 600 metre journey. 

That performance, staving off the hugely talented Punter's Bandit in the drive to the line, followed a most unlucky third place finish a week earlier behind Coast Model at his middle distance debut.

"He always gave the indication he'd make a really nice middle distance dog and with this race coming up it was the perfect time to step him up," Webster said.

"His (34.13) time last week was exceptional and on the line I thought he was going as good as the runner-up (Punter's Bandit) which was very encouraging.

"Both his 600 metre runs have been very good so we've thrown our hat into the ring for the series. We'll see how we go. I can't fault the dog, he's going great."

Winner at 16 of his 38 starts with a further 10 placings, Father Rick has largely flown under the radar during his formidable career.

This week's @sportsbetcomau #RunOfTheWeek at @DaptoG goes to Father Rick, with his sizzling all-the-way 34.13s win in the GRNSW Middle Distance Series last night! ? ?

Full Results: https://t.co/zsyeke1sDj #thedogs #GreyhoundRacing #DaptoGreys pic.twitter.com/EIQoFuEd6P

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) November 3, 2022

In the lead up to his middle distance campaign the multiple city winner ran a slashing third to Mellcat Big Boy in the Group 3 Goulburn Cup, the performance indicating to Webster the Dapto feature was well within reach.

"With the way he got to the line in the Cup it influenced me in heading towards this race," Webster added.

"But as impressive as he was last week he had box one and this week he moves to box four. We'll know our chances after a few strides but the main thing is he finishes top four and we move through to the final.

"He does have a habit of making the wrong decision in races which has cost him a race more than once. I'm hoping the middle distance races can build up his confidence for when he drops back to 500 metres in town."

TAB Fixed Odds have installed Father Rick at $5.50 for Thursday night's opening Middle Distance Championship heat where favouritism is with the John Finn-trained Zipping Alabama at $2.70 from box one.

Certain to play a strong hand in the group 3 series is training powerhouse Jodie and Andy Lord, preparing seven of the 15 contenders.

In heat one they are represented by Silver Luck (box two), Grim Madara (box three), Punter's Bandit (box five) and Cawbourne Magic (box eight), while Bandit Jane (box two), Coast Model (box three) and Good Odds Emma (box six) will go around in heat two.