Box eight gives Sweet It Is a golden opportunity of turning the tables on Australia’s number one stayer Space Star in Saturday night’s first heat of the 720m Wentworth Park Gold Cup.
Two heats of the $25,000-to-the-winner-series headline what should be a terrific night's racing at Wentworth Park, with the fields featuring the likes of this year's National Derby winner Zipping Midge, two-time Group winner Chica Destcada and the always-dangerous Queen Esther.
The quality in heat one of this Group 3 event equates to a Group 1 final lineup with rapidly improving Zipping Felix and up-and-coming star Ada Mary adding spice to the event.
Space Star downed Lady Toy in the Group 1 Association Cup final at Wentworth Park on April 4 when Zipping Felix was a fast-finishing third, beaten by two lengths.
Sweet It Is (pictured) found trouble from box four and wound up fourth after being a desperately unlucky second in Lady Toy’s Association Cup heat.
But while Space Star’s fastest time at Wentworth Park has been 41.71 it is worth noting that Sweet It Is has stopped the clock at a near record 41.55.
And Sweet It Is’s connections have always insisted their bitch had a far better chance of obtaining a clear run if she could draw box eight.
She has finally drawn the extreme outside at Wenty, setting the stage for what should be an enthralling encounter on Saturday night.
The far weaker second heat gives top Queensland stayer Mullaway">Mullaway a great chance of opening his account at Wentworth Park.
Mullaway has bounced off the running rail in each of his two Wentworth Park 720m races but has finished third on each occasion.
He has also never drawn as well as he has on Saturday night.
Mullaway has box two and with fast beginner Lillycette, a wide runner in box one, looks poised to secure a dream rails run in the charge to the first turn.
Zipping Maggie looms as Mullaway’s toughest opponent on the strength of her distant second behind Space Star in an Association Cup heat.
She is partial to Wentworth Park, where she has contested nine 720m races for two wins and five placings, including a slick personal best time of 41.78.
Northernette">Northernette will be on trial for a start in Saturday week’s heats of the Group 3 Evans & Son Jewellers Ladies Bracelet when she exits box eight in Saturday night’s Rapidvite Stakes.
Northernette made the pace when second to Frost Yourself at Wentworth Park last Saturday after jumping from box two.
“I like her boxed out where she is on Saturday and she will be all the better for last week’s run,’’ trainer Ken Burnett said.
“Last Saturday Northernette was only having her second 520m start since resuming after a seasonal spell.
“Saturday night’s race will influence me on whether I nominate her for the Ladies Bracelet.’’
Consistent front runner Lucy Lips is an almost certain starter in the Bracelet providing she comes through Saturday night’s Eddie Wall Stakes unscathed.
John Miles, who handled Lucy Lips on behalf of trainer Sue Smith when the greyhound chased home Rue De Kahn last week, said: “Lucy Lips is gradually getting a bit stronger.
“She has had two wins and six placings at Wenty but she is yet to have the luxury of being in front when the dogs chasing her packed up or scrimmaged.
“A stronger greyhound, like Rue De Kahn last week, always seems to get the sit on her.’’
Veteran Knocka’s Return has not raced for seven weeks but is trialling well enough to win Saturday night’s Liam Walsh Cup Stakes at Wentworth Park.
That is the opinion of trainer Mark Wilcox, who explained the dog’s absence from the track was caused by an injury sustained at Temora on February 28 and then the onset of a virus.
“The straight at Wentworth Park is a bit short for him but he is well boxed in seven, he has won seven of his 15 starts from that draw,’’ Wilcox said.
“His only hang-up might be the presence of the other ‘pensioner’ Watto Lotto in box eight.
“Watto Lotto doesn’t have a lot of early pace but can begin pretty well and if he jumps good he might crowd Knocka’s Return early.
“But my fellow is trialling well enough to win.’’
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Saturday picks:
Best Bet: Zipping Midge (Race 8)
Best Value: Passenger (Race 7)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 8, 4, 3
Race 6 – 2, 5
Race 7- 1, 7, 3
Race 8 – 6, 1
$20 for 55.55%
