Halse Confident West On Augie Can Shine On National Stage
20 August, 2018
Greyhound
Trainer Chris Halse says finding the front will be pivotal in West On Augie taking out the Crocmedia National Sprint Championship at Sandown on Friday.
“If he finds the front he has got be playing a part in the finish,” Halse told Tabradio.
“If you can find the front at Sandown it suits the leaders and is a big help.
“I think when his right at the top of his game he will be very hard to beat.
“He is as good as anything going around when he is on song.”
Halse is hopeful West On Augie’s dominant victory in the state championships two weeks ago was a sign that he will be close to his best.
The exciting WA speedster appears to be back on track and over any mental demons after he sustained a fall at the Meadows recently.
“It obviously did affect him straight away, but he has been lucky to have had a couple of runs to get his confidence back again,” Halse said.
“If I was going back to the Meadows I would be worried, but he is going to a different track and hopefully it doesn’t play mind games with him.
“I still think he is down in confidence a little bit, but he is a great dog who is strong and can do it at both ends.
“It’s always an honour to go and represent your state and it’s probably one of the best chances we’ve had with a dog of his ability.”
West On Augie, who will will jump from box five in the National Championships, can launch a top weekend for the Halse kennel.
Chips And Trains looms as a winning chance in Saturday’s Peter Thomas final at Cannington after a strong fourth in his heat.
Chips And Trains, a winner at six of 11 starts, has drawn box seven, where he has never been beaten in three starts.
“That’s where he needed to be,” Halse said.
“You would think he’d come out better from a wide draw.”
“He has got his box and has got his chance.
“This dog has ability when he hits the ground.
“It was quite a good run the other night running on.
“Fingers crossed, but Cropduster will be hard to beat.”
Julio Santarelli