Hickman Eyes Group 1 Glory In Dapto Megastar

Sydney thoroughbred trainer Greg Hickman will get his first taste of group 1 greyhound racing on Thursday night when a dog that he part-owns contests the Sportsbet Dapto Megastar Final at the iconic Dapto Showground.

Hickman is one of the large group of owners of the Punters HQ syndicated Punters Bandit which is one of three runners for the powerhouse New South Wales kennel of Andy and Jodie Lord from Gunning.

FIELDS AND FORM DAPTO THURSDAY NIGHT

The Lords will also rug up, Good Odds Emma, another member of the Punters HQ team along with Million Dollar Chase runner-up Coast Model.

It's shaping as a big few days for the Warwick Farm-based Hickman who on Saturday will saddle up two feature race runners at Randwick.

Stable star Eleven Eleven will take his place in the Listed Razor Sharp Stakes while his exciting staying prospect Rondino will contest the Listed Christmas Cup.

But first things first and the accomplished horseman is eagerly awaiting Thursday night's $75,000-to-the winner contest at the famous Dapto dogs and he hopes to be trackside to witness his first canine Group 1 runner.

"I'm pretty excited," Hickman said.

"I'm part of a syndicate that owns a small share, but we've had a great experience since we started getting involved.

"We started out with two dogs called Doonan and Tiger Jack and they've won their share of races, so we joined the group that race Punter's Bandit and another young dog called Black Abbott.

"It's great to be able to be a part of it and with the dogs, there's no pressure on me. I can just enjoy watching them race and getting a taste of the ownership experience.

"The great thing about getting involved in the greyhounds is that it doesn't cost you the world and they seem to race basically week in and week out.

"A couple of my owners and my foreman Josh Lawrence are in our syndicate and we're having a great time with them."

Punters Bandit made her way into the final when finishing second to Yuko Girl in a heat run in 29.73 seconds. The fastest qualifier for the final was On The Bus which clocked 29.72.

The daughter of former Million Dollar Chase winner Good Odds Harada, a Dapto Megastar winner himself, is going to need her share of luck in the final after drawing box six.

"I don't know a great deal about the form side of it but they tell me she'd be better drawn down near the rail," Hickman said.

"But one thing I've learnt from my experiences in racing is you have to be in it to win it.

"She's very strong so if she gets some luck and is near them in the run, she will take some holding out."

Bookmaker Betr has installed Punters Bandit as an $8 chance to claim the Megastar.

The two kennelmates sit atop the betting market. Good Odds Emma has eased slightly from $3 to $3.20 while the veteran of the team, Coast Model, has trimmed in from $4 to $3.80.

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Group 1 Sportsbet Dapto Megastar (520m)

1. Yuko Girl $3.20

2. Good Odds Emma $3.00

3. Forever Thankful $51

4. Lochinvar Lona $8.50

5. On The Bus $26

6. Punter's Bandit $8

7. Father Rick $9

8. Coast Model $4