Adam Handler belongs to that unusual group of greyhounds which rail well but are better suited drawn wide.
That is the opinion of trainer Anthony Azzopardi who is keen on the dog’s chances in Saturday night’s Bakels Mud Cake Mix Stakes at Wentworth Park.
Adam Handler had box two when third at his Wentworth Park debut on May 2 and drew three when he won comfortably last week.
But Azzopardi is enthusiastic about Adam Handler’s prospects from box seven on Saturday.
“I like him out there,’’ Azzopardi said.
“From inside boxes Adam Handler is inclined to dwell at the start and then when he hunts up along the fence there is often a wall of dogs in front of him.
“Even though he rails he is suited out wide.’’
Adam Handler’s record backs up Azzopardi’s claim because the dog has had 10 starts from boxes six, seven and eight for six wins.
Laugh With Mary has been placed only once in nine Wentworth Park 720m races but trainer Harry Sarkis believes she can open her city account in Saturday night’s Bakels Red Velvet Cake Mix Stakes.
“I think she will break her duck this week,’’ Sarkis said.
“She was badly hampered when in a good spot at the first turn before finishing sixth at Wenty on May 2.
“And on Tuesday night at Gosford she led all the way to beat a strong field in fast time over 600m.
“Laugh With Mary broke in well then I had a few problems with her early in her career but I think she has turned the corner now.
“Although she gets off the track a little bit I’m happy with her box one draw on Saturday.’’
Rising four year old Ritza Raider is the veteran of the field in Saturday’s Bakels Managing Director Stakes but the Mark Gatt-trained dog has the draw to upstage his younger rivals.
Ritza Raider, who has won six of his 16 starts from boxes seven and eight, has drawn box seven.
“He is going well but has been getting too far back in his races,’’ Gatt said yesterday.
“I like him boxed out wide and with a clear run early he should get to the line strongly.
“Ella Has Class is racing extra well and if she jumps in front from box two she will be hard to beat.
“But if she gets held up at all my bloke is in with a chance.’’
Saturday night’s best bet should be Queensland Derby runner-up No Donuts in the Bakels Crème Cake Muffin Stakes.
No Donuts’ two WP wins have been from boxes eight and six but he has won those races despite, not because, of the wide draw.
He will make full use of box two in Saturday night’s fifth grade event which is a far cry from the class he tackled from box one when second to the mighty Dyna Villa in the Derby final at Albion Park on April 23.
Best Bet: No Donuts (Race 1)
Best Value: Laugh With Mary (Race 10)
Quaddie
Race 5 – 7, 2, 4
Race 6 – 2, 6, 1
Race 7 -4, 2
Race 8 – 3, 1, 2
$20 for 37.03%
