Reigning Southland Greyhound Of The Year Southern Lights is simply a dog that is in the zone.
The Roy Hamilton-trained chaser heads to Forbury Park today to extend his brilliant run of recent form.
The Invercargill dog has notched wins in five of his past six starts, culminating in a feature race victory in the $7500 Robinson Rosebowl at Addington last week.
''He is going real good at the moment. The last month or so, he has found another leg,'' Hamilton said.
The trainer puts his recent run of form largely down to an improvement in jumping the boxes.
''That is his downfall - his jumping. The last few he has been jumping out a bit better, especially at Dunedin.''
Though his starting manners have improved lately, Southern Lights did miss the kick before winning at Addington last week. When he misses the jump, he does have one redeeming advantage: good track sense to get himself back into his races.
''He does use his head a bit. He doesn't just bark and push and smash.''
Hamilton is hopeful the dog can get his starting manners back on track today, which could result in him adding to his already strong record at Forbury Park.
''He loves Dunedin, for some reason. I don't know whether it is the lure or what but the last few up there he has jumped quite good.''
That record involves wins from all eight boxes, so today's punters need not worry about him drawing the No5 squeeze box in his c4-5 race. ''It doesn't worry him where he [draws]. If he gets a fair go, he will be in it.''
Southern Lights showed ability as soon as he hit the training track, well before his debut race in July 2015.
''Right from the start he showed a wee bit of ability; right from the first time I galloped him at the track, he showed he was a bit special and he went on with it.
''He is as tough as nails.''
-By Jonny Turner
