The chances of Aphorism being entered for the Dapto Megastar Prelude on September 3 hinge on how the greyhound fares in Wednesday night's Ladbrokes Visa Card Stakes (520m) at Wentworth Park.
Aphorism has box two and trainer Shaun Evans expects him to go close to winning.
“Whether I nominate him for the Megastar depends on how he goes at Wentworth Park,” Evans said.
“He usually runs straight from the boxes to the first turn but in last week's Black Top heats at The Gardens he drew box seven and wanTed to crash hard left at the start.
“I don't know what he was thinking but it certainly cost him any chance he had. This week's race looks a good deal easier than most of the fields he has been tackling in recent starts so he certainly gets his chance.”
Aphorism has chased home greyhounds of the calibre of Are Jai Que, Targaryen, Knight Sprite and La Grand Logie at his past four starts so should relish facing fourth grade company on Wednesday.
Hardest for Aphorism to beat could be Victorian-trained Gary Doogan from the successful Darren Fisher kennels.
“He has not been around Wentworth Park but box one is perfect for him,” Fisher said.
“While he does not have a lot of early pace he is a hard chaser who won't leave the rails and who will run on strongly.”
Fisher has another five greyhounds making their Wentworth Park debuts on Wednesday, with Jiggly Legs in box four in race three, Noosa Jet (box seven) in race seven and Aston Gatum (box four), Zoe (box six) and Be Two Bomber (box eight) in race nine.
“Jiggly Legs is a bit tardy early and would be better from an inside box while Noosa Jet is not well drawn out wide but trialled fastest time of the day at Ballarat at his most recent hit-out,” Fisher added.
“Race nine will be interesting because Aston Gatum and Zoe will want to crash towards the rails.
“Be Two Bomber is perfectly drawn and he won well at Shepparton on Monday night but he has trouble handling two turns tracks like Wentworth Park.”
Favourite for Be Two Bomber's race is likely to be Chloe's Hand, who has not won in seven Wentworth Park appearances.
Trainer Anthony Azzopardi believes box one will help his greyhound break the drought in that event, the Rapidvite Stakes (520m).
“If she is ever going to win a race at Wenty this should be it,” Azzopardi said.
“I have been wanting to see Chloe's Hand in box one and a good draw like this has been long overdue for her.”
A win by Chloe's Hand will be a minor consolation for Azzopardi who endured the disappointment of having to scratch NSW Distance Championship winner Magic Earner from last Saturday night's National final.
“She hurt her hip 48 hours before the race and will be out of action for a few weeks,” Azzopardi said.
An outsider with strong claims of springing an upset on Wednesday is Choc Chip Magic in the Book Ted's Lounge Stakes (520m).
Choc Chip Magic has box five and comes into the race following a best time of the day win over 506m at Lithgow last Saturday afternoon.
Although Choc Chip Magic has not raced at Wentworth Park, the greyhound knows her way around the course.
“She had several hand-slips at the track when she was a pup,” Choc Chip Magic’s part-owner Allyson Head said.
“Box five is okay for Choc Chip Magic because she likes to run in the middle of the track.
“We were running her in short course races but she kept getting smashed at the start so John put her over 506m at Lithgow and she led all the way. She needs to come out quickly at Wenty, which she can do, because Choc Chip Magic has to lead to win.”
For Wentworth Park Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson’s Wentworth Park Wednesday picks:
Best Bet: Aphorism (Race 8)
Best Value: Irinka Alf (Race 3)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 3, 8, 7
Race 6 - 6, 4, 8
Race 7 - 6, 1, 7
Race 8 - 2, 1
$20 for 37.03%
