Anthony Azzopardi was getting his prayer book out ahead of the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg semi-final draw – and it has done the job.
The Western Sydney trainer told thedogs.com.au he was “praying” for an inside draw for his charge My Boy Snoop (pictured, yellow rug) in the semi-finals after his greyhound’s impressive 29.78 heat win last Saturday.
He has got his wish, with My Boy Snoop drawing box one in this Saturday’s first semi-final and looking a decent chance to seal a place in the $250,000-to-the-winner decider.
My Boy Snoop has a mixed record at Wentworth Park but is back in full fitness and with unfancied Midnight Flynn next to him, should have the space to find the rail unchallenged.
Click here to watch My Boy Snoop's heat win.
Paul Stuart’s 29.46 heat winner Over Limit will have to cross from box eight here but should have the quality to do so.
NSW hope Ritza Hattie is a quality Wentworth Park performer but may find it tough to make an impact here from box seven.
Hugely impressive 29.65 heat winner Ronray Spirit will exit from box four in the second semi-final.
Superstar My Bro Fabio squeezed through as one of the fastest fourth-placers in the heats but has been given no favours in the semi-finals.
The four-time Group winner has drawn box four in the fourth semi-final, with heat winner Dawkins Bale, quality Victorian Lamia Bale and notable inside box performer Rue De Kahn all inside him.
Recent National Derby winner Fernando Bale, who ran a terrific 29.45 from box six last Saturday, will be immediately outside My Bro Fabio.
Fernando Bale has a strong record from the middle boxes and still looks the one to beat here.
Another trainer probably bemoaning his luck will be Darren Beasley after his impressive charge Hostile drew box eight in the third semi-final.
Hostile was a superb 29.45 winner from box one, but will need to find a way past the likes of Xtreme Knocka (box two) and Sisco Fiasco in box five.
Although she can be patchy from the rail, Recruitment (box one) ran a terrific 29.57 in the heats and looks tough to stop here.
The semi-finals are part of a star-studded night of racing at Wentworth Park this Saturday which also includes three heats of the Group 1 Association Cup.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
