Maffra trainer Des Douch is seeking redemption in the Group 2 Laurels Classic (515m) – Race 8, 9.10pm – at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

Last year, he finished fourth with Fur Pyjamas ($12.40) in a star-studded race – Kelsey Bale ($3.30) defeated Baby Jaycee ($5.20) in a slick 29.35sec.

In this year’s $55,000 to-the-winner final, Douch has a genuine chance of atoning. He’ll rug Here Comes Milli (Box 4) – the fastest heat winner (29.38sec) and subsequently Sportsbet’s $1.85 favourite.

However, Isle Of Rose ($4) in Box 6 – prepared by Jackie Greenough – could be a ‘thorn in her side’.

Isle Of Rose, a winner of 10 from 13, won her heat in 29.57sec – only 3L off Here Comes Milli.

“I hope she goes straight to the front as she can do it at both ends. She’d be hard to beat if that happens.”

Also in commission are Aunt Virginia ($6.50) in Box 8, which was an unlucky second (beaten 6.7L) to Here Comes Milli, and Granny Roses ($6.50) in Box 1, which clocked a 29.71sec heat win.

And, to a lesser extent, Lamia Mila ($9.50) in Box 7 – a litter sister of The Phoenix third favourite, Pass The Buck. She finished a gallant second (beaten 0.5L) to Granny Roses.

Here Comes Milli (Jan ’22 Bernardo x Brueghelino) boasts a 50% winning strike rate (nine from 18) and the ratio is even better at SP – five from eight (63%) with a 29.34sec PB.

Early this month, she was a finalist in the G3 Cup Night Sprint. It’s been a meteoric progression considering Here Comes Milli only started racing in early August.

“She’s pretty tough and has pulled up brilliantly from her heat win,” Douch said. “At the moment, she’s doing everything right.

WATCH: “And ‘Milli’ goes through to the final with an effortless win.” HERE COMES MILLI (B4) explodes away with a 29.38sec (Best) Laurels Classic heat win.

“She’s also a reliable beginner, so I didn’t mind her drawing box four for the second week in a row. Her first step is to the right and then she’ll work across to the ‘fence’.

“I hope she goes straight to the front as she can do it at both ends. She’d be hard to beat if that happens.”

Douch added that Here Comes Milli is “one of the best female sprinters I’ve put a lead and collar on in almost 10 years of training greyhounds”.

“And I wouldn’t have said that six weeks ago.”

However, the female speedster he puts highest on his pedestal is Zara Marnie – a winner of nine from 21, who is on the comeback trail. She was a finalist in the G1 Maturity Classic.

Here Comes Milli – owned by Douch’s close friends Greg Rowe and Barry Stockdale – may eventually follow in the pawprints of her dam, Brueghelino.

‘Mum’ won 10 from 34 and was a triple G1 middle-distance finalist – 2018 Rookie Rebel, 2017 Sale Cup and 2017 Hume Cup.

“I wouldn’t rule out the middle distance some time in the future,” Douch said. “It was a good run-home time in her Laurels heat and she’s getting stronger all the time.

“But I have a couple of plans after the Laurels, and they are the (G2) Warragul Cup and (G2) Traralgon Cup.”