Queensland-owned Eleazar has returned from a campaign in her home state and is “flying’’ as she prepares for a tilt at the forthcoming National Distance Championship, beginning on Saturday night at Wentworth Park.
Eleazar, who has won three of her eight Wentworth Park 720m races, has drawn ideally in box eight in Saturday’s www.wentworthpark.com.au Stakes.
Heats of the National Distance Championship will be run throughout Australia from July 31 to August 9 with the grand final, worth $75,000 to the winner, over 715m at Perth’s Cannington circuit on August 23.
Vineyard trainer Dean Swain, who is getting Eleazar ready for the Group One Championship series, has had the bitch back in his care for three weeks.
“She is absolutely flying,’’ Swain said.
“Since I’ve had her back she has had two 520 metre trials at Wentworth Park and has clocked 29.82 and 29.67 seconds.
“But those figures didn’t surprise me Because while Eleazar is a stayer, she can run sensational times in solo trials over shorter distances.
“I was worried about getting a start with her in a long-distance race Because she needs a hit-out so was pleased she was able to get a draw on Saturday.
“And I couldn’t be happier than seeing her in box eight Because Eleazar is a bit field shy and is a lot more comfortable being on the outside of her opponents.’’
Swain rates the MAJELLA Ferguson-trained Cyclone Simone the main danger to his bitch on Saturday.
Another greyhound ideally positioned in box eight on Saturday night at the Glebe track is the Marie Burton-trained My Awesome Opal in the tab.com.au Stakes.
“Box eight is where he wants to be drawn,’’ Marie’s husband Ross said.
“My Awesome Opal is a good dog when he is on the lure and he has dropped back into a grade where he can win.
“As he has got up in class he has had to learn how to come from behind in his races and that experience has done him good.’’
My Awesome Opal has had box eight on five occasions, resulting in four wins, and with keen railer Lani Banarni in box seven he should get a clear run down the outside of the field in the run to the first turn.
Kate’s Reaction, sidelined for seven months with a torn back leg muscle, should continue on her winning way in Saturday night’s petsnacks.com.au Stakes at Wentworth Park.
The bitch showed brilliant early speed to lead throughout in a nippy 30.19 at Wentworth Park last Friday night.
With slow beginner Le Burglar drawn outside her in box seven, she should get a clear run from box six.
Trainer Tony Desira is not concerned about his bitch’s wide draw.
“Kate’s Reaction will run straight from the boxes to the first turn," Desira said.
“If she begins as well as she did at Wentworth Park last week and when she won at Gosford from box three in 29.70 in late June she should go close to winning.
“Before she had her first Wentworth Park start I trialled her at the track and she clocked 30.18 but on Saturday I think she can improve on that time and her 30.19 performance from last week’s race.
“Because she had such a bad injury Kate’s Reaction is a bit of a day to day proposition so I don’t trial her between races.
“She stays fit enough by running around in her yard at my kennels at Calga.’’
Tony also trained Kate’s Reaction’s dam Jane Reaction, who also had brilliant early pace and notched up a string of Wentworth Park placings Before finally breaking through for a city win when in the kennels of Warren Harper.
“When I trained Jane Reaction she was beaten a half head at Wentworth Park by the 2009 NSW Greyhound of the Year Take The Kitty, and she now has a litter of six puppies, six months old, sired by that dog,’’ Tony pointed out.
My stand out wager on Saturday is I’m Pedro, who has box four in the Bohemia Crystal Stakes.
He was badly checked soon after the start and came from last at the first turn to finish second behind Satchmo’s Hanky in a far harder race at Wentworth Park last Friday night.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
Best Bet: I’m Pedro (Race 10)
Best Value: My Awesome Opal (Race 9)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 6, 8
Race 6 – 1, 4, 5
Race 7 – 8, 2
Race 8 – 4, 8, 1
$20 for 55.55
