Big Guns Ready For Nationals Warm-Up

By Jeff Collerson

Saturday night's Wentworth Park Free For All (race 8) is virtually a dress rehearsal for next month's Group 1 National Sprint Championships, with No Donuts, Bessy Boo and Ryley Sams clashing in the 520m event.

No Donuts has box two, Bessy Boon (pictured) three and the up in class but perfectly positioned Ryley Sams in eight.

Unfortunately Dear Darcey, who had drawn the coveted rails box, will miss the race through injury.

"I trialled Dear Darcey at Richmond on Tuesday morning and he tore a pin muscle in his shoulder,'' trainer John Ayoub said. "I am absolutely shattered because he had an ideal draw and I expected him to lead around the first turn and win.''

Brad Canty, trainer of No Donuts, said Dear Darcey's scratching could open the door for his impressive greyhound to win.

"Dear Darcey being scratched will give my dog a bit more room to move," he said. "But at the same time, it will also give Bessy Boo a better chance at sitting right on No Donuts' hammer.

"I am happy with No Donuts' draw with my only concern being the presence of Queen Charlie in box five.

"She has brilliant early speed so I just hope she doesn't chop No Donuts' head off in the run to the first turn.''

Black Lagoon, who has box three in the Annual Pat & Bull Stakes, appeals as one of Saturday night's stand out bets.

Black Lagoon is a safe beginner with good early speed and should have no trouble crossing East Coast Low (box one) and Bulletproof Esky (box two) in the run to the first turn.

"I am keen on my dog's chances,'' Black Lagoon's trainer Rodney O'Brien said.

"Seven Jacks, who has box five, looks his main danger but I think Black Lagoon will be in front of him at the first turn.

"Seven Jacks ran down Black Lagoon when they clashed at Gosford early in their careers but my bloke is a much better dog now.''

O'Brien also has Black Lagoon's litter sister Rubelly Magic, a fast beginner, in box eight in the Right2Drive Stakes.

"Obviously Shady Ace, in box one, is going to be hard to beat, but Rubelly Magic will run a good race,'' O'Brien said.

"Although she is a good railer she doesn't crash to the fence so box eight is not too bad for her.

"Rubelly Magic won't cross to the rails until she clears the greyhounds drawn inside her.

"But she needs to get away with five or six lengths' break in the middle stages if she is to hang on and win.''

Garry Edwards, trainer of Shady Ace, has bright prospects of winning a double as Twist Me Over has a great chance of leading throughout in the Tiger Containers Stakes.

Twist Me Over led all the way at Nowra and Wentworth Park before being second to the home turn when third to Magic Spring and Johnny Magic at Wenty last week.

It was no disgrace to be outpaced by Magic Spring as that greyhound posted electrifying first and second splits of 5.33 and 13.75.

"While I'm not making excuses a storm hit Wentworth Park just before Twist Me Over's race last week and she doesn't fancy rain,'' Garry Edwards said.

"One night at Dapto it was pouring rain and she didn't like it and when the storm hit last week Twist Me Over didn't even want to go into the starting boxes.

"Both Shady Ace and Twist Me Over are fit and well for Saturday night.''

For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.

Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Saturday picks:


Best Bet: Black Lagoon (Race 2)

Best Value: Twist Me Over (Race 7)

Quaddie: Race 5 - 1
Race 6 - 1, 2, 5
Race 7 - 3, 5, 2
Race 8 - 2, 3, 8
$20 for 74.07%