Tricky Pluto is on trial for the Group 1 Newcastle Herald National Derby at Unibet Gardens starting on January 24 when he lines up from box four in the Sky Racing Stakes (520m), race five at Wentworth Park tonight.
Trainer Martin Hallinan is making the trip from Clergate, near ORANGE, to Wentworth Park with Tricky Pluto and Zipping Electra, who will contest the final event, the TAB.com.au Stakes (280m).
"I trialled both dogs at Wentworth Park last Tuesday and they went reasonable for their first look and I'm happy with both of them going into tonight's meeting," Hallinan said.
"They are both badly drawn but I expect them to go well if they have a little bit of luck.
"Box eight in a 280m race doesn't suit Zipping Electra because she wants the fence badly.
"If Tricky Pluto goes well then I'll enter him for the Derby at The Gardens."
Tricky Pluto is coming off a smart Warragul maiden win on Christmas Eve after a debut third at the same track.
"I took both these dogs to Victoria when I went down for the Sale Cup with Zipping Milo," Hallinan said.
"Carting young dogs around turns them into greyhounds sometimes.
"It was a very nice win at Warragul and he had trialled well over the 400m at Maitland and The Gardens when Jason (MACKAY) had him.
"He was cramping and mucking up a bit so Jason send him back to me."
Zipping Electra goes into the final event tonight after finishing third on debut at Unibet Gardens on November 29 and fourth at Warragul on December 24.
"Zipping Electra can't run 500m but she trialled a quick 22.74 at The Gardens a week before her first start," Hallinan said.
"I'm just taking my time with her and hoping she gets a bit stronger in the next month."
For tonight's Wentworth Park fields click here
