Steve White concedes Rare Pearl will do it tough in this Saturday’s Group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg (520m) but still believes he can savour that winning feeling once again.
The son of Bekim Bale and La Pearl (pictured, box three) is an enticing $10 value shot with Sportsbet for the $250,000-to-the-winner decider after qualifying with an impressive win in the first of last Saturday night's four semi-finals.
Rare Pearl's victory from box seven in 29.98 extended his career record to a sound 17 wins and 18 minor placings from 48 starts and was his seventh victory in 20 visits to Wentworth Park.
White's greyhound has scored two wins and two minor placings from five previous starts wearing the white rug, but the Victorian trainer admits Rare Pearl has it all to do in the decider.
"He is such a strong greyhound - possible the strongest in the race - but there's so much pace in this race," White said.
"Realistically, he needed to be in six outwards to have a great chance. He produces his best work when out wide.
"If he gets a clear start then you never know but from this draw it will be tough.
"I think Rare Pearl has 19 owners - I've only met three of them - but I hope they have a great night this Saturday."
The win extended Rare Pearl's run of strong recent form to three wins and a minor placing from his last five starts.
Rare Pearl's winning time may have been well of his fastest at Wentworth Park - a stunning 29.58 effort in July last year - but he still looks a big danger for the final.
His trainer, who moved from his kennels at Nowra on the NSW South Coast earlier this year, still has fond memories of winning the Easter Egg back in 2005 with Paua To Burn.
"It's nice to be in an Easter Egg final - but it's a lot nicer to win it, believe me," White said with a grin.
"Paua To Burn is still alive and still with us, although sadly she's getting a little older now. Hopefully she will give us some luck and the winning edge for the final."
Moreira (box one, $3 with Sportsbet) leads the early market after his impressive victory in the semi-finals and then securing the prized rails draw.
A member of the gun Jason Thompson kennel, he has scored six wins and two minor placings from his last 10 starts.
Dawkins Bale (box four, $3) is also on the top line of betting after his scorching 29.71 win in the semi-finals.
Last year’s runner-up, once of the stars of the gun Victorian Andrea Dailly kennel, only just qualified after finishing third in the heats but looks to be hitting top form at the right time.
Brad Hill Billy ($7 with Sportsbet) won his semi-final in 29.85 and with four wins and five minor placings from nine previous starts with the checks looks a decent value chance.
Knight Sprite (box five, $5.50), Asa Killa Queen (box six, $10), Blue Revolver (box seven, $26) and Mitcharlie Mia (box eight, $11) round out the field.
The Group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg is part of a fantastic night's racing at Wentworth Park featuring six finals.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields and form, click here.
For Sportsbet's markets on Saturday's Wentworth Park racing, click here.
