Racing: Thrilling Brat looks great chance for Silver Collar

The multiple group one winning superstar stayer Thrilling Brat holds a mortgage on tomorrow's 43rd running of the prestigious $80,000 Plaster Board Duke Of Edinburgh Silver Collar at Manukau Stadium, South Auckland.

The $1.40 TAB Final Field favourite thrashed his rivals when delivering his emphatic 17.5-length heat win last Sunday, which he achieved in a smart 46.23secs for Tirau trainer Karen Walsh.

It took a severe leg injury last year to deny Thrilling Brat the victory when he gallantly finished in second place.

"This is the pinnacle in greyhound racing and to win this race will be the crowning achievement for Brat's career. He has come through last Sunday's heat brilliantly.

"He is all set to go, with my only concern being the early stages of the race," said Walsh.

Thrilling Brat's litter sister and kennelmate, the Auckland 779m track record holder Thrilling Quest, overcame pre-race issues to narrowly secure her position in the final.

"She has come through her heat well and she has been more her natural self this week." Winning last year's Silver Collar was the Arch Lawrence-prepared Mr Chino. He led the forlorn chase home behind Thrilling Brat last Sunday, which he could also do this time.

"Mr Chino is fantastic within himself and he is ready to deliver a bold race," said Lawrence.

Retaliate First won the other heat in a more sedate 46.97secs for his Foxton trainers Paul Freeman and Angela Turnwald. He was on track debut then, so some improvement can be expected.

"He really wanted to be a race dog last week so I hope brings the same attitude back on Sunday," said Freeman on Thursday.

And you can expect the Canterbury pair of Know Chaos and Know Honour to keep stoutly grinding on throughout the trip.

Thrilling Brat appears to be a solid anchor choice for the second leg of tomorrow's guaranteed $50,000 terminating TAB Pick6.

An on-course patron will go home owning a 10 per cent racing share in a recently whelped Swift Fantasy pup.

The star stayer sensationally won the 2010 edition of the Silver Collar and she ran second and third in the past two editions.