Boxing had the Muhammad Ali/Smokin’ Joe Frazier rivalry, tennis has enjoyed the Federer/Nadal/Djokovic duels and now greyhound racing is poised to relish Xylia Allen versus Sweet It Is (pictured) at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
In what is looming as the clash of the year, the dazzling front runner and track record holder Xylia Allen takes on her National Distance Championship conqueror Sweet It Is in the Group 3 Chairman’s Cup final over 720m.
Xylia Allen toppled Sweet It Is at Sandown on August 7 but was run down by her arch rival in the Championship final in Perth a fortnight later.
In last Saturday night’s Chairman’s Cup heats, Xylia Allen threw down the gauntlet with a breathtaking all the way win in a near record 41.76.
Sweet It Is was beaten into second place by Zipping Maggie in 42 flat but lost no admirers after coming from last and twice colliding with Queen Marina in transit before rocketing home.
Xylia Allen’s early speed should ensure she starts favourite but given a reasonably clear run, Sweet It Is is my tip to repeat the Cannington Distance result and snare the $25,000 cash.
The minor placing should be battled out by the Peter Dapiran trained Zipping Maggie and veteran Gold Affair Two, from the kennels of Victoria’s master trainer of stayers, Robbie Britton.
Whichever way we look at it, Victorian greyhounds look sure to take the first four placings.
While NSW’s representative in the National Distance Championship, Queen Marina, failed to make the Chairman’s Cup final, her trainer Noelene Holloway should collect a $5450 consolation prize with her honest speedster Queen Esther in the Alan Pendleton Stakes.
Queen Esther, chasing her 12th 520m win at Wentworth Park, is superbly drawn in box two.
Peter Mosman Classic winner Bessy Boo, a notoriously slow starter, has box one, while Take It All (box three) is also tardy out of the boxes and Ritza Raider, in four, gets wide.
“I think Queen Esther has a really good draw,’’ Holloway said.
“When she finished third to Tautology from box seven last week she tried hard but just couldn’t get across to the fence.
“She pulled up really well after that run and I was very happy with that performance.’
A slick trial over 515m at Gosford points to Big Tee Sal being good value in Saturday night’s Brett Scott’s Last Stand Stakes.
Big Tee Sal led throughout at his most recent Wentworth Park start on August 15, defeating subsequent winner Zipping Tank in a nippy 30.08.
Big Tee Sal failed to beat one home at The Gardens on August 22 but Ken Barnden, whose father Bob trains the dog, said yesterday that run can be discarded.
“He doesn’t back up well and that race was only a week after his Wenty win while he also hurt his hip a bit in the run,’’ Barnden said.
“Since The Gardens we trialled Big Tee Sal at Gosford and he got under the 29.90 mark.
“Box seven should suit him because Big Tee Sal likes a bit of room to move.’’
Saturday’s field is no stronger than the lineup Big Tee Sal defeated at his latest Wentworth Park outing and if Zipping Tank, which he held off to defeat, was in this race he would be a hot favourite.
For Wentworth Park fields, form and expert tips, click here.
Best Bet: Zipping Weston (Race 4)
Best Value: Big Tee Sal (Race 2)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 8, 3, 2
Race 6 – 2, 1, 3
Race 7 – 6, 7
Race 8 – 4, 5
$20 for 55.55%
