Almost Black has been a certainty beaten in each of two Wentworth Park starts but a move to box one should mean a change of luck for owner Jed Martin and trainer John Chapman on Saturday night.
The greyhound will carry the red rug in race nine, a 520m fifth grade, and only needs to begin cleanly to lead throughout.
A slow start and early interference ruined Almost Black's chances when he finished a game third from box eight at Wentworth Park on February 12 but the dog was an even better thing beaten there last Saturday night.
Almost Black dwelt at the start but exploded from the ruck to be disputing the lead with Rafferty's Rules rounding the first turn.
Just as Almost Black was sweeping to the lead, Rafferty's Rules shifted out slightly and the pair collided, with Almost Black losing a dozen lengths and winding up at the back of the field.
"Despite what happened last week Almost Black will be ready for Saturday night,'' trainer Chapman said.
"Almost Black is a danger to himself in that he is such a keen fencer he cuts to the rails sharply so box one is definitely his perfect draw.
"He is the first greyhound Jed Martin has raced. As Jed loved the look of greyhounds I originally gave him one as a pet but because he always had her in pristine condition I suggested he buy one for the track.
"I sold him Almost Black, which I also reared for him.''
Asa Carrera's only Wentworth Park experience was in winning a 280m "flutter'' in December but trainer Andy Lord said the 520m of Saturday night's Paul Gallagher's Last Stand Stakes will hold no fears for his greyhound.
"She had her first test beyond 450m on February 14 when she won over 530m at Canberra in the fastest time of the meeting,'' Lord said.
"Asa Carrera has won two of her four races from box eight but she has never previously drawn the rails and box one on Saturday night is ideal.
"Box one is where she wants to be.''
Although he has drawn box four in the Paint The Town Red Stakes Sokyo, in the best form of his career, could prove to be well positioned.
Topper Road, who has box three, veers sharply to the left in the early stages of his races while Body And Soul, box five, moves to the right at the first bend.
Sokyo combines good early pace with strength at the finish with the Christine Oldfield trained greyhound's flaw being his tardiness from the starting boxes.
The greyhound, whose Wentworth Park tally is three wins and five placings from 14 appearances, should only need to come out on terms with his rivals to triumph.
Nangar Thunder should have little trouble maintaining his unbeaten record in Saturday night's goldeneasteregg.com.au Final after posting fastest time in the heats.
Despite missing the jump from box five Nangar Thunder won his heat in 30.11 but trainer DAVE Irwin has said the dog had previously trialled even faster, 30.02, at Wentworth Park.
Nangar Thunder has drawn better in box seven in Saturday night's final with Golden Gate, a notoriously slow beginner, drawn outside him in box eight.
Aisle Tifi should put value into Saturday night's quaddie after drawing box two in the second leg, a 520m fourth and fifth grade.
The Owen Langley-trained greyhound is usually a fast beginner and seven of her eight wins have been from boxes one, two and three.
Aisle Tifi made the pace when third, from box four, to Aqua Dragon at Wentworth Park last Saturday night and can be first out and first home on Saturday.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Saturday picks:
Best Bet: Almost Black (Race 9)
Best Value: Sokyo (Race 5)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 4, 3, 6
Race 6 - 2, 5
Race 7 - 1, 3, 5
Race 8 - 7, 3, 4
$20 for 37.03%
