Villain looking to steal it over 312m

DARWIN’S leading greyhound Arnhen Villain returns to Winnellie Park tonight, but opposition trainers will back their dogs to give him a run for his money.

Jamie Hosking’s star, who turns four tomorrow, is back from a six-week spell and will feature in race five.

“He was a bit under the weather so I gave him a break and we’ll see how he goes – he’s only running over 312m,” Hosking said.

It will be the first time Arnhen Villain will run over 312m – he is a longer distance dog who regularly enters 537m races – but will be eased back after his spell.

The consistent performer is still leading the DGA Greyhound of the Year ladder with 14 wins, the next being Daniel Rutherford’s Just Vee and Graeme Ferns’ Emerley Fairy (13 wins each).

Ron Phillips’ Ess Class (two seconds and a third from her past three races over 312m) and Graeme Scott’s Here To Party (two thirds and a second in his past three races) should also be considered.

Race one at 6.06pm will see Russell Savige’s Just Magical tough to beat after drawing barrier two.

Ferns’ Fabbenz – with three wins from her past four runs – is a good shot in race two.

Race three is a quality lineup featuring Hosking’s Wayne Outwide, kennel mate Good Bye Joan and Andrew Lasker’s Out There Jerry.

The final of the Restricted Dash in race four looks an even affair and I’m Late (Hosking) and Klondite Kate (Ferns) are strong chances.

Bombay Rock (in box two for Lasker) and Raving Thunder (in box three for Richard Carr) have drawn well in another even race-six field.

Little Vossy (Hosking) and Call Me Lily (Phillips) have drawn on the inside and have the pace to win race seven.

And ’s Night Harmony returns to Darwin for race eight at 8.27pm after seven runs in Western Australia, and is worth considering if she can relocate her best form.