While working as strapper for trainer John Hawkes, John Smart led the great Octagonal back after several of the thoroughbred's nine Group race wins, but he will get a bigger buzz if his greyhound Lovelace">Lovelace can take out Wednesday night's goldeneastegg.com.au Stakes at Wentworth Park.
Lovelace has had box eight when placed in three of her past five Wentworth Park starts but Smart is pleased she is drawn closer to the rails in box four on Wednesday.
"She has a bit of early pace but not enough to get across her rivals from box eight,'' Smart said. "However, Lovelace gets to the line strongly so if she gets a clear run should be hard to hold out in the straight.
"She hasn't raced for 10 days but has had two slips up the straight at Appin so is nice and fresh and that preparation will suit her.''
While Lovelace appeals as Wednesday night's best value bet, the star wager looms as El Magnifico, chasing his fifth win in nine starts in the 520m Paint The Town Red Stakes.
At his latest outing El Magnifico led throughout to win over 515m at Bulli in 28.51, just outside the track record held by Silent Effective at 28.34.
Already a slick Wentworth Park winner, El Magnifico has box five but looks a class above his fifth grade rivals.
Two greyhounds which should relish a massive drop in class at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night are Proven Kodiak">Kodiak, who has box four in the @wentworthpark.com.au/events Stakes and Black Lagoon, drawn in five in the Gala Dinner Mar 26 Stakes.
At his latest start Proven Kodiak took on some of the best sprinters in NSW in the Bulli Gold Cup Consolation while Black Lagoon's most recent outing was in a heat of the Richmond Derby.
On Wednesday night Proven Kodiak drops from top to fifth grade while Black Lagoon tackles fourth and fifth grade opponents.
"My dog didn't have any luck at Bulli but while he has a tricky draw at Wentworth Park I expect him to run a big race," trainer Mark Azzopardi said. "He has had a look at the track so knows his way around the course and has trialled satisfactorily.''
Black Lagoon led from the first turn until near the home bend before tiring badly to finish seventh in a 535m Richmond Derby heat but trainer Sam Simonetta believes he will improve on Wednesday.
"Leading up to the Richmond Derby Black Lagoon had only had three 400m races so it wasn't surprising, against such strong opposition, that he got so tired,'' Simonetta said.
"He pulled up well after that race last Friday night and if he comes out cleanly on Wednesday he should be right in the finish.''
Box one specialist Myalla Monaro has been placed in two of his past five Wentworth Park races from poor draws so should be at juicy odds in the Ladbrokes GEE Carnival Stakes.
Myalla Monaro will carry the red rug and the Steve Cleary-trained dog has won five of his 14 starts from the rails trap.
His sixth, from box seven, at Wentworth Park last Saturday can be discarded as the dog bungled the start completely.
He rarely misses the jump when he exits box one, his favourite slot.
For Wentworth Park Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Wednesday picks:
Best Bet: El Magnifico (Race 2)
Best Value: Lovelace (Race 4)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 1, 8, 2
Race 6 - 2, 6
Race 7 - 5, 6, 7
Race 8 - 3, 8, 7
$20 for 37.03%
