Steve Withers believes flying Winsome Warrior has the edge in the battle of his gun kennelmates at Mandurah on Saturday night.
Winsome Warrior, formerly based in NSW, jumps from box seven in the Chasers A La Carte Stakes (race one, 405m) aiming to make it a hat-trick of victories since transferring west.
The son of El Grand Senor and Ramblin’ Ruby looks the best here on current form but will likely face strong opposition from sibling Winsome Amanda (box two).
A three-time Wentworth Park winner, Winsome Amanda makes her Western Australia debut on Saturday night.
While Withers is expecting big things from Winsome Amanda, he believes Winsome Warrior may have a fitness edge over his litter sister
“I think Winsome Amanda has a bit more ability than Winsome Warrior but she’s just short of a run,” Withers said.
“They are both drawn well and on her NSW form she’s got that extra yard of ability, but she maybe just a bit short here.
“Winsome Warrior has done well so far but there’s a lot more in the tank. He’s a long way off showing his best. I think both of them could have a good time over here.”
Winsome Warrior has extended his record to three wins and six minor placings from 14 starts with his recent good form at Mandurah.
Both his wins have been hard-fought affairs but with other notable performances to his name, including a second place behind the great Fernando Bale at Wentworth Park in June, he will be hard to hold out.
Taking on the ‘Winsome’ duo will be another former NSW greyhound, Encapsulate (box five), who finished second at his first Western Australia start at Mandurah last Saturday.
In other action on Saturday night, gun Western Australian performer Star Recall is back in superb form and can make it four consecutive wins in race seven.
She looks to have drawn perfectly in box three, having won her five previous starts from there.
Astrophysic is another who looks to have drawn perfectly in race six.
A leading member of the gun Paul Stuart kennel with a brilliant record of 31 wins from 43 starts, he is unbeaten from four previous starts with the yellow rug.
South (box six) has been racing in harder juvenile races and should have enough ability to win race 10.
For Mandurah Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
