On heat times Billy Bowlegs has ten lengths on his nearest rival in Friday night’s Dapto To Wenty Final (520m) at Wentworth Park but bookmakers could be prepared to gamble against the dog because of his box eight draw.
A relatively new addition to the Harry Sarkis kennels, Billy Bowlegs led throughout to win his heat at Dapto on July 17 in a blistering 29.78.
He scored by just over 19 lengths while the other heats were taken out by Plundered and Hardaway Tiara in 30.46 and 3.55 respectively.
That gives Billy Bowlegs the equivalent of a ten-length stranglehold on Friday’s final but the move from box one in the heat to the extreme outside in the final makes the race interesting.
While he would prefer to see his dog drawn inside, Harry Sarkis does not think box eight will bring Billy Bowlegs unstuck.
“He doesn’t crash towards the rails, I am sure he will run in a straight line from the boxes to the first corner,’’ Sarkis said.
“As long as he begins cleanly I think Billy Bowlegs will show enough pace to lead at the turn.
“The dog had a few problems after I got him including a dose of water diabetes which held him back, but he is very fit now.’’
Evoked has not raced for three months but is trialling well enough to win Friday night’s tab.com.au Stakes at Wentworth Park.
“I gave her a post-to-post hand-slip at Richmond on Monday and she went very well,’’ trainer Craig Chappelow said.
“Of course a race is a different story and greyhounds can always be vulnerable first-up from a spell but it seems a nice race for her.
“Evoked has box six and should get a bit of help from Woods, who has good early speed and has box five.
“I know Woods likes to rail because he has wiped out my dogs a couple of times in the run to the first turn, so I am glad Evoked has drawn outside him.
“Evoked has been sidelined for so long because she fractured a tail and then came in season before tearing a muscle in her groin after she returned from the seasonal spell.’’
Evoked was placed at her two most recent Wentworth Park starts in late January and early February and none of her rivals on Friday has been able to match her personal best Wenty time of 29.90.
It is worth noting that Evoked posted her 29.90 figures from box six, the same draw she has on Friday night.
Supercell has been trialling brilliantly up the straight at Appin in preparation for Friday night’s www.wentworthpark.com.au Stakes.
“He came home like a rocket when he finished third over 400 metres at Bulli on July 16 and has been flying in trials at Appin," trainer Mary Wright said.
“I expect Supercell to go really well on Friday night as long as he gets away reasonably well.’’
Supercell has box five but has had a win and five seconds from a dozen starts at the Glebe track and has been meeting and defeating stronger opposition at the provincials.
For Wentworth Park fields, form and expert tips, click here.
Best Bet: Lucy Lobster (Race 6)
Best Value: Rum Punch (Race 3)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 4, 7, 3
Race 6 – 5, 7
Race 7 – 2, 1
Race 8 – 5, 7, 1
$20 for 55.55%
