Big Tee Rex, the fastest heat winner of the Vic Peters Classic series before he was bundled out of last Saturday's semi-finals, should collect a consolation victory for owner-trainer Troy MacDonald at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night.
The giant 38kg greyhound (pictured) blew the start from an unsuitable box two draw and finished fifth in the semi final won by Good Odds Ocker but now moves to a more suitable box seven draw in a heat of the Ladbrokes Bet Better Sprint (520m).
This is a 4th Grade event and a significant drop down in class to the Group 1 company Big Tee Rex was competing against last weekend.
Big Tee Rex likes room to move and had box six when he led throughout in his Vic Peters Classic heat at Wentworth Park on October 17, clocking a best of the night 29.79.
For a wide runner like Big Tee Rex, box seven on Wednesday looks suitable, especially as Black Ink (box eight), also races in the centre of the track, and he looks like the best bet on what is a good card of racing at Wentworth Park on Wednesday.
Best value bet at the meeting night looms as the Ray Webster-trained Hugo Boss, who has box one in the Sky Racing Stakes.
Hugo Boss has won five of 11 starts at the provincials and was far from disgraced when third, from an unsuitable box seven draw, at his Wentworth Park debut on September 23.
“I am going to Wentworth Park with a bit of confidence,” Webster said.
“Hugo Boss is drawn where he wants to be and he is trialling well so he gets his chance.”
Wednesday night's card features two heats of the Stayers Club Stakes (720m) for greyhounds with zero to three wins to their credit.
Wentworth Park newcomer Blipple is expected to start the night off favourably for punters by winning heat one, the opening event on the card.
Blipple has won her only two 600m races at Unibet Gardens, one in a fast 34.74, and trainer Brad Canty said he was fairly confident she will run a solid 720 metres.
“Blipple has had stayer written all over her for two or three months and a race like this, for greyhounds with zero to three wins, is an ideal introduction for her.
“These races are an encouragement for stayers Because if you train a long-distance dog, it doesn't matter where you nominate on the TAB circuit you are likely to have to take on a Wentworth Park winner.”
Consistent Marble Gem, who has been placed in three of four Wentworth Park 720m races, is boxed to take out heat two of the Stayers Club.
The Subawa Ngurah-trained greyhound gets back in her races so will relish the small field and is suited by her extreme outside draw.
Sandy Freckle was a late scratching from last week's Wentworth Park meeting but there was nothing amiss with the dog and he will be at his peak for Wednesday night's Free For All (520m).
The greyhound was forced to miss last week’s race after trainer Jason MACKAY’s truck broke down on the way to the track.
“Missing the run won't affect Sandy Freckle's chances on Wednesday Because after missing last week's race I trialled him at Maitland and he went really well,” MACKAY said.
“This does not seem to be a very strong Free For All and Fantastic Spiral looks my dog's main danger.
“Fantastic Spiral beat Sandy Freckle in a similar race at Wentworth Park the last time they met but Jason Fletcher's dog is coming back to Sydney after a couple of races at The Meadows in Melbourne.
“Because of that there is a chance Fantastic Spiral may not nail the start which would give Sandy Freckle a great chance of turning the tables.”
For Wentworth Park Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Wednesday picks:
Best Bet: Big Tee Rex (Race 7)
Best Value: Hugo Boss (Race 10)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 2, 6
Race 6 - 4, 6
Race 7 - 7, 2, 5
Race 8 - 8, 3, 5
$20 for 55.55%
