A star-studded line-up featuring most of the country’s best greyhounds will contest the heats of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg (520m) at Wentworth Park this Saturday.
Ten mouth-watering heats will take place at Wentworth Park to launch the three-week $250,000-to-the-winner series.
Dawkins Bale, who finished runner-up to legendary kennelmate Fernando Bale in last year’s Golden Easter Egg returns to Wentworth Park aiming to go one better than he did in 2015.
Dawkins Bale, who will jump from box one in heat four, spearheads a 12-strong contingent from the gun Andrea Dailly kennel, with the Victorian trainer also entering last year's Group 3 Ladies Bracelet winner Elfen Bale (box five, race nine) in the series.
Fellow Victorian trainer Jason Thompson has eight greyhounds in the heats, with in-form pair Black Frenzy (box two, heat six) and Aston Bolero (box four, heat ten) looking the standouts.
Reigning NSW metropolitan trainer of the year Anthony Azzopardi, who recently relocated to Victoria, will also return to Wentworth Park for the series with Asa Killa Queen and Zambora Brockie.
Asa Killa Queen, who has won his last three starts, has drawn box one in heat seven, while Zambora Brockie, who took out last year’s Group 1 Vic Peters Classic, has drawn box three in heat four.
The NSW contingent in the heats is led by Knight Sprite and Mitcharlie Mia who respectively took out the Group 2 Richmond Derby and Group 2 Richmond Oaks last Friday night.
Knight Sprite has drawn box eight in the sixth heat – a draw in which he has four wins and three placings from eight starts – while Mitcharlie Mia will jump from box five in the seventh heat.
Others to watch in the heats include recent Group 1 National Derby winner Magic Spring (box two, heat three), Group 1 National Futurity winner Cash In Motion (box seven, heat six) and Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup winner Black Bear Lee (picture, who has box eight in heat eight).
Other NSW stars to watch include star veteran Bessy Boo (box six, heat four), Brad Hill Billy (box one, heat seven) and Good Odds Angel (box one, heat nine).
Eye-catching bolters include exciting newcomers Zipping Bruiser (box one, heat five) and Snakebite Bale, who jumps from box four in the ninth heat.
One greyhound who will not be taking part in the heats is Australia’s newest millionaire - Dyna Double One – who took out the Group 1 Australian Cup on Saturday at The Meadows.
Owner Brendan Wheeler, speaking on Sky Radio’s Going Greyhounds program this morning, hinted that Dyna Double One may now be retired to stud.
Semi-finals of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg will take place the following Saturday.
The final takes place on Saturday, March 26 and is part of a glittering night’s racing that will include five other Group races.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields and form, click here.
