Assertive Bella was a fifth grader less than a month ago but trainer Jason MACKAY expects her to run 29.60 in Saturday night’s final of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder at Wentworth Park.
After winning a Wentworth Park fifth grade in 29.87 at her Sydney debut on January 3, Assertive Bella (pictured) jumped in front from box four and wasn’t headed in her Paws Of Thunder heat last Saturday, clocking 29.82.
Melbourne Cup winner Dyna Villa and Maturity Classic runner-up Shoulders were fastest heat winners at 29.64 but Assertive Bella had the final use of a wet track.
“I’ll be shocked if she can’t run 29.60 from box one on Saturday night,’’ MACKAY said.
“She has only been in my kennels for five weeks but before she won that fifth grade on January 3 she trialled 29.80 at Wentworth Park and she has to have improved a couple of tenths since then.’’
Anthony Azzopardi, who trained the 2011 Paws Of Thunder winner Fancy Will, is delighted with Shoulders’ box six draw and he hopeful the dog will finally break through for a win at his third appearance in a Group 1 final.
Andrea Dailly has three finalists in the Paws Of Thunder and Tom Dailly, a spokesman for the crack Melbourne kennel, has nominated Spring Leaf as the team’s best chance.
“Spring Leaf is a very good greyhound with great strength at the finish,’’ Dailly said.
“A few Sydneysiders told me after she ran down My Boy Snoop to win her Paws Of Thunder heat that they were amazed she was able to give that dog a start and a beating.
“But I wasn’t too surprised because Spring Leaf can really get to the line.’’
Andrea Dailly also has Kerrigan Bale and Maximum Lil in the Thunder final and Tom Dailly gives Kerrigan Bale a good outside chance.
“She had box eight when she won her heat and that suited her because she likes to have a bit of room to move early,’’ Dailly said.
“But she did not begin all that brilliantly in her heat and was still able to lead at the first turn.
“Kerrigan Bale is capable of coming out running on occasions so if she happens to nail the start she can lead at the first bend, even though her box two draw is not great.’’
Team Dailly will unveil Crackerjack Max, one of their National Derby hopefuls, in Saturday night’s Thank You Officials Stakes at Wentworth Park.
Crackerjack Max has won four of his past six Melbourne starts and posted a slick 29.43 winning at Sandown at his most recent appearance.
“We were toying with the idea of putting him in the Paws Of Thunder but he is only a baby so we decided to save him for the National Derby heats at Wentworth Park next week,’’ Dailly said.
“It was always my intention to nominate him for a graded race on Paws Of Thunder night and Crackerjack Max is well drawn in box two.
“He rails well and has good early speed.’’
The Dailly kennel will also be represented by Dyna Double One, second reserve for the Paws Of Thunder, in the National Derby heats.
And their stayer Starc">Starc looms as the only threat to Space Star in Saturday night’s final of the group two Summer Distance Plate.
Space Star led from the first turn to win his heat in 42.20 while Starc came from fourth early to win in 42.47.
Space Star had box eight in his heat and is ideally positioned in the same box in the final but Starc, who had box two in his heat, has also fared well in the draw, getting box one.
“Starc has plenty of ability but sometimes ruins his chances by running into the back of dogs,’’ Tom Dailly said.
“He had not seen Wentworth Park before his heat win so while Space Star is obviously going to be hard to toss, Starc is well boxed and has a good chance.’’
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Saturday picks:
Best Bet: Are Jip (Race 4)
Best Value: Lukey Chino (Race 10)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 2, 7
Race 6 – 8, 1, 3
Race 7 -2, 6, 8
Race 8 – 1, 6, 2
$20 for 37.03%
