Four quality semi-finals of the Ladbrokes Vic Peters Classic feature on Saturday night's Wentworth Park card with the highlight being the clash between No Donuts and crack Victorian greyhound Blazin' Bomber in the third run-off.
No Donuts' trainer Brad Canty is convinced his greyhound is “the fastest dog in the series”, but plenty would argue that Blazin' Bomber has the bigger motor.
Blazin' Bomber, who made a sensational Wentworth Park debut when second from box six in Black Bear Lee's heat, has box two.
And while No Donuts (pictured) has drawn four, Canty is happy with his dog's draw.
“No Donuts has got a good draw because there is no pace around him,” Canty said.
“I know he is going to need a clear run because it is a strong semi final, but last week three dogs crunched him soon after the start yet when he won he ran home in 11.80.
“Not many greyhounds do that and I believe he is the fastest dog in the Classic series.”
Blazin' Bomber's trainer Darren Pattinson, meanwhile, is delighted with the draw for his rising star.
“My fellow has had box two twice and won each time, at Warragul and at Sandown,” Pattinson said.
“He pulled up well after his run last week when he bungled the start and then seemed to get lost going around the first turn.
“Blazin' Bomber should be a better dog this week because apart from the much better draw he has had experience on the track.”
The other “hot” Classic duel comes in the second semi final where Zambora Brockie meets Kihael Kaluna.
Zambora Brockie bombed the start in his heat and qualified as first reserve for Saturday night's race but has gained a start through the scratching of Full Of Wind.
“Zambora Brockie did things wrong at the start in his heat and then got blocked for a run in the middle stages,” trainer Anthony Azzopardi said.
“But he pulled up well and had a good workout on Tuesday so I expect him to run a big race. This greyhound can go places, I have no doubt about that.”
Kihael Kaluna's trainer Mark Gatt is confident going into Saturday’s race, but admits he would have preferred not to be up against Zambora Brockie.
“He is a very fast greyhound,” Gatt said.
“Kihael Kaluna's box three draw looks close to perfect so if he is good enough he will be in Saturday week's final because apart from Zambora Brockie, this semi does not seem to be among the toughest.”
Best value among the Vic Peters Classic aspirants is Camden Valleyway, who has box eight in the first semi-final.
Camden Valleyway jumped in front from box two in her heat last week but was outpaced and crowded back into sixth position on the back straight.
She appeared ill at ease from her inside draw but flew home down the outside to beat all but Explosive Range.
Camden Valleyway has a great record from boxes six, seven and eight, with her tally from these wide draws being five wins from seven appearances.
She meets fastest qualifier Big Tee Rex but he has box two and while he has great pace, he likes to race in the centre of the track.
Best bet of the night comes in the fourth semi-final where Nangar Flame has box one.
He was last to leave the boxes in his heat and was turned sideways at the first turn before coming from near the rear of the field to finish second behind Kihael Kaluna.
The move from box eight in his heat to box one in Saturday's semi-final should ensure Nangar Flame goes into next week's final.
For Wentworth Park fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Saturday picks:
Best Bet: Nangar Flame (Race 8)
Best Value: Camden Valleyway (Race 4)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 9, 3, 7
Race 6 - 2, 7, 1
Race 7 - 2, 4, 8
Race 8 - 1, 5
$20 for 37.03%
