Australian Cup winner Dramatical heads into Wednesday night’s Warrnambool Cup without the spotlight, despite being the fastest greyhound in the field.

Just a week before the heats, the Jason Thompson-trained star produced a blistering 24.72-second victory over the 450 metres at Warrnambool – a run nearly three lengths quicker than leading fancy Canya Excite Me’s heat-winning time.

Dramatical finished second behind outsider Giacomo (8) in his heat to qualify.

Giacomo (7) wins his heat of the Warrnambool Cup with Dramatical (2) a big second. 

Dramatical finds himself in a field with a lot of early speed, but that doesn’t necessarily mean defeat for the two-time Group race winner.

“I see him positioning himself behind the speed – it’s not as if he isn’t used to coming from behind,” Thompson said.

Drawn in box five in race ten at 9.12pm, Dramatical shapes as a serious contender, particularly with wet weather forecast.

“It looks like we are going to get a fair bit of rain, and I think that can play into his hands,” Thompson said.

“There is a lot of speed in the race and speed dogs generally need a hard and fast track.”

“He is a very fast dog, and you couldn’t discount him in any race.”

Following the Warrnambool Cup, Dramatical will head to Queensland.

“I have two races picked out for him – a restricted age race Saturday week and then the Ipswich Cup.”

Thompson plans on flying Dramatical back following the Ipswich Cup but will still target the rich Brisbane Cup with some of his other kennel stars.