Greyhound Racing / Andy Morris / 05 February 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now

Elite Blue Size has shown he can win with a poor draw and will be hard to beat after drawing well for the final of the Group 1 National Derby at The Gardens, believes Andy Morris.

Traders looking to oppose the favourite might hope that Silent Guardian can reverse last week’s positions and show the kind of form that has brought him 12 wins in his 21 start

The Reg Kay-trained dog, Elite Blue Size, drew box six in last week's semi-finals, yet scored a comfortable victory in overcoming favourite Silent Guardian by five lengths.

Those who were hoping to oppose him will have been cursing when he drew box one -with the inside running, he should be right up there.

Almost set a record

Elite Blue Size came close to Knocka Norris' track record in the semi-final, securing his 12th win from 16 starts, and has already tasted Group success, having won the Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup.

His chances were further increased last week when the dog that many thought would lay down a stiff challenge to him, Outta Credit, ran poorly in the other semi-final.

That race saw roughie St Pierre win at odds of $14, leading all the way to leave Gnarley Boy 5 ¾ lengths back. Tyson Magic was a further neck back in third, while Outta Credit could only manage fourth, despite having started the $2 favourite.

Kay has double hopes

Reg Kay trains both Outta Credit and Elite Blue Size, so would have been hoping for a one-two, but with the former having drawn badly in box six, he will have his work cut out to make an impact.

Traders looking to oppose the favourite might hope that Silent Guardian can reverse last week's positions and show the kind of form that has brought him 12 wins in his 21 starts, though that's a lot to ask of him, especially from box eight.

St Pierre will find his supporters based on his semi-final victory, but his previous effort was fifth place the previous week and a fourth before that. He does, however, have in his favour a victory in the St Leger back in December, and Christopher Nutt's entrant can't be dismissed.