Boom provincial star Foxy Nakita makes her race debut at Wentworth Park on Friday night fresh from posting track record time in a trial at the Glebe track.
Foxy Nakita, who is ideally drawn in box one in race nine on Friday, last week was given a post-to-post hand-slip at Wentworth Park by trainer Steve White and recorded an incredible 23.93.
Veteran trial watchers at last Monday’s Wentworth Park race meeting claimed they had not previously seen a greyhound break the 24-second barrier for a slip.
“What was encouraging too was that Foxy Nakita’s run home time was terrific at 11.60,’’ White said.
“But her trial didn’t really surprise me because she has been flying in trials and races.
“Three weeks ago at Dapto she hand-slipped 24.05 post to post and ran 11.63 to the back, then she won over 472m at Bulli in 26.19 at her first race from a spell.
“Before the Wenty trial I took her back to Dapto for another post to post and she went 11.62 to the back and recorded 24.04 overall.
“Foxy Nakita has had a few issues with toe injuries and it is only now I have been able to build her up to race over 520 metres.’’
Foxy Nakita’s kennelmate Rare Pearl will be on trial for a tilt at the National Derby heats at Wentworth Park on January 24 when he contests Friday night’s Rapidvite Nowra To Wenty Final.
Rare Pearl was far and away the fastest qualifier from last Monday’s Nowra heats, running down the Michael Clayton-trained Are Jai Que in a sizzling 29.68.
But Rare Pearl, who is inclined to miss the jump, was suited by the small field of six and was able to sit directly behind front-running Are Jai Que on the back straight.
Because there are eight starters in Friday night’s final and Rare Pearl has drawn awkwardly in box six, Clayton gives Are Jai Que a good chance of turning the tables.
“I was happy with Are Jai Que’s run at Nowra because Rare Pearl has a huge motor and when he was right behind my bitch I knew we were in trouble,’’ Clayton said
“But Are Jai Que clocked a first split of 4.24, which I believe is a record time, and she recorded 16.76 to the back straight, a point where the record is 16.72.
“She was having only her third 520m run but she clocked 30.03 getting beaten, which is a smart run at Nowra.
“Are Jai Que had not been tried over 520m Before she led all the way at Wentworth Park on December 22, then she trialled 30.29 over the same distance at Nowra Before racing there on Monday.
“She handled box seven well when she won at Wenty last month so I don’t think box eight on Friday will worry her.’’
While Foxy Nakita is obviously Friday night’s stand out wager, the best value of the night looks like Kasinda">Kasinda, ideally drawn in box eight in race 10.
Kasinda exited box five to be second early Before taking the lead at the first turn and hanging on to win in 30.34 at Wentworth Park last Saturday night.
She has drawn better this week and meets similar opposition to the lineup she defeated.
Pedagogy (box two) is likely to be favourite after recording a slick 30.07 at Wentworth Park on Monday night but he is a slow beginner who uses a bit of the track so could find trouble from his inside draw.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Friday picks:
Best Bet: Foxy Nakita (Race 9)
Best Value: Kasinda (race 10)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 2, 4
Race 6 – 8, 6
Race 7 - 6, 7, 8
Race 8 – 4, 3, 1
$20 for 55.55%
