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A sequence of mishaps has limited the almost three-year-old Marlow Man to just 22 starts but the Anne Foley-trained greyhound should continue to make up for lost time by winning at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Marlow Man has box five in the Justin Dale Second Chance Stakes (520m) but it is worth remembering the greyhound carried the yellow rug to an all-the-way victory at Wentworth Park on October 27.
On that occasion Marlow Man posted brilliant splits of 5.39, 13.76 and 17.89 on the way to a slick 29.82 win by more than seven lengths.
“If he repeats that run he should go close to winning,’’ trainer Anne Foley said.
“Marlow Man likes to have things go his way but he is a fast dog.
“He has been lightly raced because while he has not had any serious injuries, it seems to have been one setback After another.
“Early this year he got a cough, then he ripped out a toenail at his second Wentworth Park start and it took two-and-a-half months to grow back.
“After that I had a virus go through my kennels so Saturday’s race will be only his 23rd start.’’
Another greyhound making up for lost time is Ritza Raider, who is expected to have an interesting duel with veteran Edge">Edge in Saturday night’s Macro Meats Gourmet Game Stakes.
Ritza Raider is well boxed out wide in six and rattled home to beat all but Inner City and All Too Fancy in a free for all at Wentworth Park last Friday night.
The chaser, who drops to fourth and fifth grade company on Saturday, began his career six months behind schedule due to a grass seed being embedded in his skin.
Ritza Raider had done remarkably well to win six Wentworth Park races, although that tally it two short of Edge, who turned four last month and has box one on Saturday.
Edge has not raced in September but has won five of his 11 starts wearing the red rug.
“It is my husband Graeme’s birthday on Saturday so it would be nice if Edge could win for him,’’ the trainer’s wife Jenny Barnett said.
“At his last start at Wentworth Park on September 6 Edge hurt the tendon behind a stopper bone and it has taken a long while to get it right.
“The dog is trialling well again but obviously lacks the race fitness of some of his rivals.’’
A strong chance on Saturday night should be Anything Less (pictured, yellow rug), who has box one in the ladbrokes.com.au Stakes (520m).
Anything Less was the unluckiest runner in last week’s Group 1 Vic Peters Classic final After running into the back of Frattini at the first turn.
He flew home to finish a close third to Lucy Lobster and Jewel Action and and has won seven of his nine Wentworth Park starts.
It could be tough as the field includes star sprinter Zipping Willow.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
Best Bet: Anything Less (Race 6)
Best Value: Ella Has Class (Race 2)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 1, 2
Race 6 – 1, 4
Race 7 – 6, 1, 4
Race 8 – 7, 1
$20 for 83.33%
