Group Race Winners Head Futurity Hopefuls

Two Group winners and a host of high-quality chasers are among the confirmed contenders for this Friday’s Group 1 National Futurity (520m) Heats.

Six Heats of the $75,000-to-the-winner series take place at Wentworth Park, with some exciting action in store.

Top Victorian trainer Jeff Britton is bringing five hopefuls, headed by Oakvale Destiny and Weblec Belle respectively.

Oakvale Destiny’s 15 wins from 38 starts so far includes a triumph in last year’s Group 3 SA Oaks.

Weblec  Belle was an impressive winner of the Group 3 Brian Johnstone last November, defeating Oakvale Destiny on that occasion.

The pair go in the fifth and second Heats respectively, with the six races featuring some classy greyhounds.

Dyna Nico, who won last Saturday night’s The Collerson in impressive fashion, goes in the first Heat.

One eye-catching contender here is Robbie Britton’s highly regarded Humming Birdhill, who has had four wins from 10 starts.

Justin King’s Miss Sueko, who has run 29.67 at Wentworth Park, goes alongside Weblec Belle in the second Heat.

Steve White’s Paua Explosion goes in the third Heat and will face the Jason Mackay-trained Frost Yourself, who has been running consistently at Wentworth Park recently.

Last Saturday’s Paws of Thunder placegetter Kerrigan Bale goes in a cracking Heat four alongside Kirsty Sultana’s lightning-fast starter Jewel Action and Mackay’s in-form Zipping Midge.

Another from White’s kennel’s, Foxy Nakita, goes in the fifth Heat and looms as a big danger for the series.

She has trialled excellently recently at Wentworth Park and has gone 29.72 on both of her two visits to Wentworth Park in recent weeks.

This Heat features Oakvale Destiny and the highly promising Jingjing, a daughter of Barcia Bale who has five wins from six starts and a triumph at Wentworth Park to her name.

Heat six features Paws of Thunder finalist Spring Leaf and DEAN Swain’s Ella Has Class, who ran 29.68 at Wentworth Park last month and is in good form.

Semi-finals of the Futurity, which is open to female greyhounds whelped on or after July 1, take place on Saturday, January 31.

The final takes place on Saturday, February 7.

In other action at Wentworth Park this Friday, Varcoe, Bessy Boo, Unbroken and Bertacious Bee all look strong chances.

For Wentworth Park Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.