Bessy Boo Raring To Go

By Jeff Collerson

Fan favourite Bessy Boo pulled up perfectly after his second to Fernando Bale in last Saturday's National Sprint Championship and is ready to score his 28th win in 92 starts at Saturday night's Wentworth Park meeting.

Much to trainer Christine Proctor's delight, Bessy Boo (pictured) has drawn box one in the Free For All (520m, race six) and is poised to boost his earnings to just on $246,000.

Bessy Boo has won six of his 17 starts from box one and Proctor believes her greyhound can salute again here.

"He pulled up terrific after chasing home Fernando Bale but Funky Punk will probably lead from box two and looks like being the one to beat," she said.

Bessy Boo posted his fastest Wentworth Park time when he clocked 29.58 from box one in June but Funky Punk recorded his personal best figures of 29.70 in his all-the-way win at Wentworth Park last Wednesday night.

Proctor also gives Kurmond Goddess a strong chance in heat two of the Evans & Son Jewellers Series.

Kurmond Goddess' best form is from inside boxes but Proctor believes she can still win from box seven.

"She has had so many box eights, she has learned to handle wide draws,'' Proctor said.

"She is not showing the early speed she once displayed but these days she runs on strongly. If she gets a clear run through the field she should be hard to hold off.''

Lochinvar Holly suffered a minor injury when fourth in top grade at her most recent Wentworth Park race but trainer Robert Smith reports she is "raring to go'' for Saturday's first heat of the Evans & Son Jewellers Series.

"It took a couple of weeks to get her back to her best after her last run on August 5 but she is as good as gold now,'' Smith said.

"I prefer her drawn inside but box six is not too bad at Wenty because it is a straight run to the first turn.

"Lochinvar Holly drops from free for all class to fifth grade against her own sex so she is well placed.''

Temple King overcame a tardy start to win impressively over 515m at Gosford on Tuesday night but pulled up well and is set to post back-to-back wins in the fifth grade ninth event.

The greyhound has box five but trainer Pauline Moran thinks he can still win from the squeeze box.

"He has not been coming out well but he goes quick when he hits the ground," she said.

"I'm not too concerned about box five because Temple King will run straight from the boxes to the first turn.''

Myalla Monaro's trainer Steve Cleary believes his greyhound "only has to come out'' to win Saturday night's fifth grade race seven.

Myalla Monaro has box one and is chasing his fourth win in eight starts wearing the red rug.

"He drew box one at Gosford on August 4 and came out running to win comfortably but on Tuesday night, from the same draw at the same track, he jumped poorly,'' Cleary said yesterday.

"I have won a 520m race at Wentworth Park with his sister Myalla Nitro but Myalla Monaro is a much better greyhound over that distance.

"Myalla Monaro has been placed in three of his seven starts at Wenty from ordinary draws so from the rails he should only need to come out cleanly to break through on Saturday night.

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

Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Saturday picks:


Best Bet: Fantastic Tail (Race 5)

Best Value:
Myalla Monaro (Race 7)

Quaddie: Race 5 - 1, 2
Race 6 - 1, 8, 4
Race 7 - 1, 2, 3
Race 8 - 4, 8, 3
$20 for 37.03%