Darren McDonald, chasing his third Macro Meats Golden Easter Egg success, believes the box draw for Saturday night’s heats makes Keybow his only genuine chance of progressing through to the semi-finals.
Keybow has box two in heat five and Darren, who won the 2001 and 2010 finals with Brett Lee and Cosmic Rumble, says he is superbly drawn.
"Keybow has won from outside boxes but in a big race I love to see him drawn near the fence so box two is great," Darren said.
"That’s a relief because my other dogs have drawn poorly.
"Where’s The Surf is not suited in box seven in heat two, There’s A Earn has box six in heat six and Dark Warrior has drawn four in heat ten.
"I have an especially high opinion of There’s A Earn, I believe he has a big future, but he has probably drawn worst of all.
"Premier Mozz, who has drawn outside him in box seven, begins fast and veers left so There’s A Earn is going to need a lot of luck."
Iona Tokyo has not raced for a month but has been trialling well in preparation for her return to racing in heat two of the Golden Easter Egg.
After "pinging the lids" to lead throughout at Wentworth Park on February 21 in 29.78 and on March 1 in 29.71 Iona Tokyo was given a break from racing.
"Because I had the Easter Egg in mind I gave her a short letup but she is going as well as she was when she was last racing," trainer Frank Sidrak said.
"She trialled nicely over 400 metres at both Bulli and Richmond, went quick in a post-to-post hand-slip at Richmond, then last Tuesday night clocked 29.90 in a trial at Wentworth Park.
"So she will be raring to go on Saturday night."
Jason Thompson, whose dog Don’t Knocka Him set a race record of 29.60 when he won the 2012 Golden Easter Egg, should win heat seven on Saturday night with Innocent Til.
This brilliant front-runner has box eight and boasts an outstanding record from the extreme outside alley.
Innocent Til has won seven of his 11 assignments while wearing the pink rug and with Lach’s Wish, a moderate beginner and keen railer drawn in box seven, should get a dream run to the first turn.
Innocent Til chased home Crump in the Horsham Cup on March 8 but his run was outstanding as he dwelt at the start and had to work to reach an early lead.
Despite that he was only run down in the shadows of the post and has since won each of three starts at Melbourne’s The Meadows and Sandown tracks.
Even before she raced Rue De Kahn was being touted as a National Futurity prospect by trainer Dean Swain and she rewarded his confidence by winning the Group 1 final at The Gardens on February 7.
Rue De Kahn can take the next step on Saturday night by taking out heat three of the Golden Easter Egg as she has won three of her five Wentworth Park starts and from box one is poised to lead throughout.
Gradence, box two, is her obvious danger but the rising four year old lacks the early pace of his younger rival.
Best Bet: Keybow (Race 5)
Best Value: Double Trigger (Race 6)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 2, 8
Race 6 – 4, 2, 6
Race 7 – 8, 5, 4
Race 8 – 3, 6, 1
$20 for 37.03%
