Victorian sensation Blazin' Bomber, who boasts the record of 11 wins and three placings from 14 starts, will go into heat seven of the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic at Wentworth Park on Saturday night without having seen the track.
Blazin' Bomber has box six and faces stiff opposition from local duo Black Bear Lee (pictured winning the Magic Maiden this year), ideally drawn in box one, and front-runner Magic Spring (box two).
Blazin' Bomber's trainer Darren Pattinson said he would have liked to have come to Sydney to trial him at Wentworth Park prior to the Vic Peters series kicking off, however, a virus disrupted his preparation.
“After he won in Adelaide on September 10 the dog picked up a virus,” Pattinson said.
“Then, when he was ready to race again, he needed to contest a Melbourne Cup Prelude and he finished third in that race at Sandown on October 8.
“Blazin' Bomber is only a steady beginner but he has a huge motor and if he gets a clear run he will run a great race.
“Box six is not necessarily a problem because he has had that draw in five of his 14 races and has won three times.”
While Blazin’ Bomber oozes class, Black Bear Lee's Wentworth Park experience and rails draw could give the Ruth Matic-trained greyhound the edge on the Victorian.
Black Bear Lee has clocked 29.69 at Wentworth Park and ran one of his best races when a luckless third from box four behind Opus Forte at his most recent race there on October 7.
In the other heats, the DEAN Swain-trained Emett Khan, who is the youngest greyhound in the series at 19 months old, looks a good chance to extend his unbeaten record in heat eight.
“I trialled Emett Khan at Wentworth Park a fair while back and he clocked 30.05,” Swain said.
“He got lost in that trial and is a lot better dog now so I have no doubt he will get well under the 30 seconds with a clear run.
“After all, my Group 1 winner Rue De Kahn only recorded 30.30 when she had her first Wentworth Park trial.”
Emett Khan has box five in heat eight but is not badly drawn as his main rivals Ritza Rossi (box four) does not possess great early pace, while the in-form Big Tee Rex (box six) uses a bit of the track.
Camden Valleyway, who has box two in in heat one, has been lightly raced recently but trainer Doug Rogers says his greyhound is going as well now as when she won first up at Wentworth Park in 30.09 on July 22.
“I nominated her once for Richmond and twice for Gosford but there were no races for her so I took her to Nowra this month for a win and a fourth,'' Rogers said.
“When she finished fourth at Nowra she missed the start which is not like her at all.
"Camden Valleyway has box two and while I prefer her drawn out wide it is a bonus that she is racing against youngsters her own age.”
Funky Punk was an unlucky third in top grade at Wentworth Park last week and dropping back to competing against her own age in heat three of the Vic Peters Classic makes her Saturday's best bet.
Great value is keen railing Ballistic Tip, who is nicely positioned in box two in the VP Gala Dinner Stakes.
He should beat Jeremey Rent (box one) to the first turn, while Rare Quality in box three will give him room to move early.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Saturday picks:
Best Bet: Funky Punk (Race 3)
Best Value: Ballistic Tip (Race 9)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 4, 7
Race 6 - 1, 6, 7
Race 7 - 1, 6, 2
Race 8 - 5, 6, 4
$20 for 37.03%
