John Carmody and Single Sticka are fighters. Together they will draw on that experience when they combine in the Group 1 Perth Cup (520m) at Cannington on Saturday.
A popular and respected figure in Western Australia greyhound racing, Carmody is battling a major health scare. Securing his first Perth Cup will be an emotional boost.
Single Sticka, bred and owned on the New South Wales Central Coast, is one of the major chances after running the fastest heat last week.
The talented chaser is again at the top of his game after courageously fighting back from injury that threatened to put a stop to his career.
Owner Anthony McVicker revealed there was a genuine fear that Single Sticka would not race again after he badly tore his back muscle last year.
After clocking 29.59sec. to give Astrozone’s track record a major fright in the heat a week ago, Single Sticka is a popular pick with TAB punters.
From his opening quote of $6.50 he has firmed into $4.40. He is second favourite behind Astrozone who heads the market at $3.30.
Single Sticka, who has won 15 of 30 starts, will step from box three. His main rival, Paul Stuart’s Astrozone has drawn on his outside.
Carmody said Single Sticka could not have been any more impressive in his heat victory, but backing up the final will be a much tougher task.
“I needed a little bit of a tonic and he certainly gave it to me on Saturday night,” Carmody said on Tabradio’s The Sports Daily.
“We expected him to go well and he could not have done it any better.
“He is a nice little dog this guy but this is a very, very tough race.
“He will have to work hard to pull it off.
“He is not the best of beginners, but if we can be a length or so behind them we might be in with a chance.”
Astrozone holds an almost flawless record with 12 wins from 13 career starts, but Stuart, who prepared Dyna Nalin to win the Perth Cup in 2013, said the favourite won’t be afforded any favours.
“He has been basically racing lower grade dogs for his entire career and this is a huge rise in grade,” Stuart said.
“He has dogs with quicker early speed than him and dogs who are stronger like Single Sticka, so there is a bit of everything in the race.
“I can’t see him leading so he needs to get clear room and get down to the fence, but he will need a lot of luck from the draw.”