The Victorian National Straight Track Final shapes as a wide-open affair, but racecaller James Van de Maat believes Victorian contender Blink And Miss has landed the draw to make his presence felt.

A quality field will assemble, with Van de Maat declaring the box draw could prove the defining factor in separating a field containing “four or five genuine chances”.

He has settled on Blink And Miss from box six, believing the speed map could unfold perfectly for the versatile Victorian.

“The box draw, I think, is everything, because all of these greyhounds obviously can run,” Van de Maat said.

“I think the winner from the box draw is Blink And Miss, number six.”

Much of Van de Maat’s confidence centres around exciting youngster Smart As You, which will exit immediately underneath Blink And Miss from box five.

Smart As You has quickly emerged as one of the rising stars of straight-track racing, but his tendency to charge towards the inside rail could create an opportunity for Blink And Miss.

Blink And Miss (3) defeats Smart As You (1).

“The way the speed map is, most of the greyhounds will be going to the inside rail, but none as hard as Smart As You,” Van de Maat said.

“He cuts so hard left that not only will he make it hard for himself, but he’s going to open the door for the outside brigade to get clean air.”

With Evil Eye expected to remain towards the outside from box eight, Van de Maat believes Blink And Miss should be afforded valuable room to move.

The potential stumbling block is Catch The Rays from box seven, which is also expected to search for the inside shortly after box rise.

However, Blink And Miss demonstrated last week that he can handle that pressure.

“Last week, Blink And Miss was able to hold him out as they duelled through the first 100 metres. I think Blink And Miss can do that again,” Van de Maat said.

“Not only is he a rising star of straight-track racing, but he’s a genuine star on the circle as well.

“I think he’s going to be a real greyhound to follow.”

“It’s a cracking field and, to be honest, I reckon there are probably four or five genuine chances,” he said.

“But I think Blink And Miss is almost drawn perfectly, barring Catch The Rays being on his right-hand shoulder at the start.”

James Van de Maat’s tips
6 BLINK AND MISS
5 SMART AS YOU
7 CATCH THE RAYS
1 CUMULATE