Skye Izmir is a classy performer but trainer Ken Staines admits he is relying on some divine inspiration to win the Goulburn-Wentworth Park Final (race seven, 520m) at tonight’s Wentworth Park meeting.
The daughter of Magic Sprite and Adhara Izmir will exit from box eight and looks the top pick for the decider, having won two and placed twice on her last four races.
She ran a superb 29.73 at Wentworth Park two starts back and enjoys visiting the city track, having placed on her only previous visit as well.
Despite that promising record, Staines said the far-from-ideal box draw meant he was not confident of another triumph.
“I think I’ll go to church on Sunday and say a prayer that she’ll get across,” he said with a smile.
“All she wants to do is crash to the fence. This is not her ideal box by any means.
“She did win from the seven at Richmond last month, but she was outside her brother (Sherlock Izmir) and he carted her across.
“She is capable of winning, but you have to be realistic. With this draw it will be tough.”
Skye Izmir’s third place in her heat at Goulburn took her career record to four wins and five minor placings from 16 starts.
She finished behind Messina Special and San Joy in the heats, with the latter drawing box one for the final.
San Joy also has a Wentworth Park win under her belt and has a strong record from the inside boxes.
She is in decent form and looks Skye Izmir’s toughest opponent here.
In other Wentworth Park Monday night action, recent Group 3 Nowra Summer Puppy Classic runner-up Fantastic Sid looks the pick in race eight.
Jason Fletcher’s sprinter is returning to NSW after a brief trip to Albion Park and from box one can win here.
The Mark Gatt-trained Ritza Rossi (box six) is a sub-30 second greyhound at the city track and is decent from the middle boxes, so looks the pick in race nine.
Lithgow Panther has built a solid record as a middle distance performer but is having a run over 520m in the 10th race.
John Chapman’s greyhound is in decent form and even with the drop in distance should get the money here.
For Wentworth Park Monday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
