Paul Stuart’s selection to serve it up to Shinners’ stars in WA Sprint Championship Final

Ace greyhound trainer Paul Stuart has a threatening hand in Thursday’s Listed $30,530 GreyhoundsWA WA Sprint Championship Final (509m) at Northam with both Fire Lighter and Barbeque Man engaged. Fire Lighter led his heat at Northam’s qualifying round last Thursday but was cut down in the latter stages by Transcendent, while Barbeque Man drew away from Uncle Tommy to clinch his heat. Fire Lighter has been installed the $4 second favourite with TABtouch from box five, however Barbeque Man was opened a $7 fifth pick after drawing box seven. Trainer Paul Stuart said that Fire Lighter must lead this week to win. “He goes straight to the first corner then drifts three or four positions up the track, which will give other dogs an advantage,” Stuart said. “He’s not very strong and his asset is his early pace. “The time last week was good – he lobbed on the arm and battled on afterwards. “Once that dog (Transcendent) got underneath he was in trouble – that dog isn’t weak and was the last dog I wanted to see, so I wasn’t disappointed. “He might find the front this week but he’ll open up the door for (boxes) one and two to rail up underneath, so he needs a break.” Stuart said that Barbeque Man, with the advantage of 33 starts under his belt, was the more experienced greyhound but the outside draw was a big blow. “Early doors, he was a front-runner and was found wanting towards the back end but, now as a three-and-a-bit-year-old, he doesn’t have as much early pace but is finishing off his races better,” Stuart said. “Toe-to-toe, he’s got Fire Lighter for pure strength, but I don’t think Barbeque Man has much of a chance from the box draw. “He’d prefer to hit the rails – if he sits third or fourth on the fence he’d be half a chance but it’s going to be hard to get to the rail cleanly.” Stuart concedes Transcendent, the $2.15 favourite, is the biggest obstacle after he drew box one. “(Transcendent) hasn’t got blistering pace but he holds his position,” Stuart said. “Uncle Tommy (box two) will be looking for the front, but Transcendent will be hard to beat. “Of mine, Fire Lighter is the better chance but Barbeque Man is the better race dog.” Transcendent, who is trained in partnership by Krystal and Steve Shinners, will also have to ward off his brilliant littermate Miss Envy from box six. “The draw probably makes Transcendent the more favoured of my two, but both are a chance,” Steve Shinners said. “Transcendent is just the absolute epitome of a pure race dog - I don’t think he likes being beaten - he just seems to lift when something’s in front of him. “Miss Envy is such a high-class bitch, probably one of the better ones I’ve had. “It’s going to be a little tougher for her but she’s a very smart dog.”