The all-conquering Andrea Dailly kennel has three powerful prospects in Saturday night’s final of the Group 3 Evans & Son Jewellers Ladies Bracelet and Tom Dailly believes the outsider of the trio is the one to back.
Tom, trainer Andrea Dailly’s husband, believes Spring Leaf (pictured) could be the kennel’s big improver from last week’s heats.
“Spring Leaf had a couple of problems leading up to the Bracelet," he said. "When the heats were run she was having her first hit-out for three weeks.
“I expect her to be vastly improved by her second placing to Uno Suzie in the fastest heat.’’
Spring Leaf has box three while her kennelmates Elfen Bale and Dyna Nico have boxes one and four respectively.
All three look strong chances for the gun Victorian kennel.
“Dyna Nico used to be a bit weak at the finish but is getting stronger all the time," Tom Dailly said. "She Really hit the line well when she won her heat.
“I was also pleasantly surprised at the win by Elfen Bale, who is Fernando Bale’s litter sister.
“Elfen Bale had a hard run at Sandown just 48 hours before the Bracelet heats and we only made a last-minute decision to bring her to Sydney.
“To come from behind and win her heat when she had never set eyes previously on Wentworth Park was a good effort.’’
“There is very little between the three of them but Spring Leaf might be the one to win this.’’
NSW owner-trainer Jodie Lord has qualified for the Bracelet with fastest heat winner Uno Suzie, who stopped the clock at 29.76, and Pearl Blonde, who set up a big early lead before being run down by ZIPPING Abby in the slowest time of 30.43.
Uno Suzie has box two and Pearl Blonde seven in the final and Lord expects her fastest qualifier to run a big race.
“Uno Suzie ran 5.40 to the first mark in her heat and is the type of greyhound who is always up to winning a big final like the Bracelet,’’ Lord said.
“She had her customary gallop up my straight track on Tuesday and is raring to go.
“Pearl Blonde only ran a 5.44 first split last week but she can show blinding early speed and is capable of getting down to around a 5.30 section.
“While she won’t crash towards the fence from box seven she will come across so she might inconvenience a couple of the greyhounds drawn inside her.’’
In the heats the Noelene Holloway-trained Queen Esther recorded the best initial split of 5.36 while Dyna Nico’s 13.76 was the quickest of the second sectional times.
Because of her foolproof box manners I’m tipping Dyna Nico, the Golden Easter Egg minor placegetter, to lead throughout from Queen Esther, who is chasing her 15th Wentworth Park win.
A veteran of 83 races, Queen Esther is easily the most experienced finalist and trainer Noelene Holloway is not concerned about box five.
“She should run straight from the boxes to the first corner and is feeling Really well,"Holloway said.
“Because of all the rain in our area Queen Esther did not have a lot of work leading up to the Bracelet heats so she should be fitter.’’
ZIPPING Willow’s race record of 29.44, set last year, looks safe with this year’s Bracelet being among the most open on record.
ZIPPING Willow’s trainer Jason MACKAY has ZIPPING Midge, who set a new race record in this year’s National Futurity at Wentworth Park, back in action in Saturday night’s Evans & Son Jewellers Appreciation Stakes.
ZIPPING Midge was scratched from her most recent scheduled Wentworth Park engagement but MACKAY says she is fine now.
“She just wasn’t herself on the eve of her last race and Because I wasn’t happy with her I pulled her out,’’ MACKAY said.
“But she trialled 22.50 over 400m at Richmond on Sunday which proved to me she was okay again.’’
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, forms and expert picks, click here.
Group 3 Evans and Son Ladies Bracelet Final Box Draw (Sportsbet Fixed Odds prices in brackets): 1. Elfen Bale ($3.60) 2. Uno Suzie ($6) 3. Spring Leaf ($5) 4. Dyna Nico ($3.20) 5. Queen Esther ($7) 6. ZIPPING Abby ($15) 7. Pearl Blonde ($34) 8. Star Torana ($8.50). 1R: Rue De Kahn, 2R: Seniorita Selena.
Prices correct at time of writing.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park tips:
Best Bet: Smooth Number (Race 5)
Best Value: Ella Has Class (Race 2)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 2, 3
Race 6 – 7, 3, 8
Race 7 – 5, 1, 2
Race 8 – 4, 5, 2
$20 for 37.03%
