Wentworth Park rookie Irinka Hope has thrown down the gauntlet to her rivals in Saturday night’s Hughie Jones Distance Challenge (720m) with a sizzling 42.23 trial over the event’s 720m trip.
“When I was racing at Wentworth Park last week I took the opportunity to give Irinka Hope a look at the track and she went well over the 720 metres in a trial,’’ trainer Ray Smith said.
“Irinka Hope was a bit field shy early in her career so I put her over the longer distances to try and lift her confidence.’’
Smith, who is the nephew of champion trainer John Finn, has seven greyhounds in training on his 100-acre property at FORBES in western NSW.
Highlight of his career was winning the 2004 NSW Greyhound of the Year award with the great stayer Irinka Barbie, which was trained for him by his uncle.
Irinka Hope’s task on Saturday night has been made easier by the scratching of Lochinvar Akira.
“She hurt herself when she finished fourth at The Gardens last Friday night.," trainer Robert Smith said.
But Smith, who trained the former WP champ Miss Elly Mint, has high hopes for Lochinvar Akira’s brother Lochinvar Impact, who has box six in Saturday night’s www.wentworthpark.com.au Stakes.
Lochinvar Impact was heavily backed at his WP debut last Saturday night after reports that he had trialled brilliantly on the track.
The dog was second throughout, beaten a length in a sizzling 29.71 by Creepy Coupe.
“He ran 29.70 and I think this dog is going to be suited by Wentworth Park," Smith said.
“But it is one thing for them to trial fast - they still have to gain experience on the track.’’
Smith is dismayed by Lochinvar Impact’s box six draw but the dog could get a clear run if he begins cleanly as he did last week.
Justin King, who juggles working in a landscaping office with training a big team of greyhounds, is tipped to land the quinella in the Betfair Blue Paws final.
Fastest qualifier Miss Sueko, who won her heat in 29.85sec at WP last Friday night, has box one, while Flying Morson, who ran 30.15 in his heat win, has drawn two.
Miss Sueko has won from the rails trap but Justin considered her perfectly boxed in eight before last week’s heats.
“She is a bit quicker than Flying Morson, her litter brother, but he has a good turn of early pace and is gradually getting stronger at the end of 520 metres,’’ Justin said.
Value bet of the night on Saturday is Tainted Luke, who is boxed to enhance his imposing WP record in the Pat Ambrosoli Appreciation Stakes.
Tainted Luke has had three wins and two placings from five WP starts and with mediocre beginners Freddy Diesel in one and Peter Mosman Classic winner Bessy Boo in three, he seems set to go straight to the lead from box two.
Best Bet: Miss Sueko (Race 8)
Best Value: Tainted Luke (Race 5)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 2, 1, 3
Race 6 – 8, 3, 4
Race 7 – 2, 1
Race 8 – 1, 2, 7
$20 for 37.03%
