National Sprint champion Chica Destacada and Ladies Bracelet winner ZIPPING-willow">ZIPPING">ZIPPING Willow face off again at Wentworth Park on Saturday night in the Group 3 John Stollery Christmas Gift.
In what is shaping as one of 2014’s most absorbing duels, Chica Destacada has the advantage on Saturday night due to the fact that she has box one but ZIPPING-willow">ZIPPING">ZIPPING Willow can overcome box six due to her explosive early speed.
As two of the possible leading aspirants for the 2014 NSW Greyhound of the Year award, both greyhounds are out to end the year on a high by winning the feature event before aiming for the Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Gosford Gold Cup on Boxing Day.
Chica Destacada (pictured) is right at her best for the Christmas Gift according to trainer Doreen Drynan’s daughter Kerry.
“We trialled Chica over 400m at Richmond on Tuesday and she went extremely well,’’ Kerry Drynan said.
“She will need to step away cleanly on Saturday night though because ZIPPING-willow">ZIPPING">ZIPPING Willow has the faster early splits to her credit.’’
ZIPPING-willow">ZIPPING">ZIPPING Willow has won four of her seven starts from box six while Chica Destacada’s record wearing the red rug is two wins from four appearances.
ZIPPING-willow">ZIPPING">ZIPPING Willow’s only worry on Saturday looks to be the presence in box eight of Cawbourne Kayono.
Early in his career Cawbourne Kayono tended to begin quickly and head for the rails when he drew wide, so ZIPPING-willow">ZIPPING">ZIPPING Willow will have to jump fast to beat him to the first corner.
After Saturday night Chica Destacada and ZIPPING-willow">ZIPPING">ZIPPING Willow will tackle the heats of the Gosford Gold Cup at Gosford.
Two of Melinda and John Finn's current exciting kennel, Anything Less and Winsome Mission, look strong chances for races five and six respectively.
A drop from two races in free for all and top class company to fifth grade on Saturday night could put Knot Telling Ya back in the winner’s circle at Wentworth Park.
Knot Telling Ya has box three in the Macro Meats Gourmet Game Stakes and is capable of jumping straight to the lead.
The dog has been a wonderful buy for owner-trainer Marie Burton, who paid $8000 for the dog after he had won two small Wentworth Park races.
Since being purchased by Burton Knot Telling Ya has won another four races in town and has earned a total of almost $46,000 in stakes.
“He fell at Wentworth Park in a top grade race last Saturday but he took no harm from the tumble,’’ Marie’s husband Ross said.
“Knot Telling Ya is racing extra well and has been beginning smartly so from this draw I give him a terrific chance on Saturday night.’’
Cawbourne Cobra ran the race of her life for a strong third place behind ZIPPING Angel and Rue De Kahn in a heat of the Christmas Gift last Saturday night, coming from midfield early to wind up less than four lengths from the winner.
She should only need to reproduce that form to win Saturday night’s fourth grade Total Steel Xmas Stakes (520m).
Cawbourne Cobra has box one and while she hasn’t greeted the judge in six starts carrying the red livery she gets her chance on Saturday night.
ZIPPING Oscar, who will vie for favouritism with Cawbourne Cobra, has box two and he uses a bit of the track.
ZIPPING Oscar’s best form is from wide draws and he looks set to “run cover’’ for Cawbourne Cobra to the first turn.
Most interesting newcomer competing on Saturday night is Frost Yourself, a new addition to leading trainer Jason MACKAY’s kennels.
Frost Yourself is owned by Queenslander Grant Fennelly, for whom MACKAY trained the former Wentworth Park track record holder Punch One Out.
Although Frost Yourself has not raced at Wentworth Park she meets moderate opposition at her debut and was an impressive all the way winner in fast time at The Gardens on November 28 at her first start in her new kennel.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert tips, click here.
Jeff Collerson's tips for Wentworth Park Saturday:
Best Bet: Cawbourne Cobra (Race 4)
Best Value: Knot Telling Ya (Race 1)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 2, 4, 3
Race 6 – 4, 8, 3
Race 7 – 2, 1, 6
Race 8 – 1, 6
$20 for 37.03%
