Trainer Ruth King believes her unbeaten pup Benteke">Benteke can overcome a tricky box draw and prove unbeatable in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden (520m) decider.
The exciting newcomer (box seven, pictured) is the hot $1.90F with Sportsbet After making an impressive start to his racing career.
After winning his heat on debut in 29.83, he improved in the semi-final with a devastating 29.73 effort.
King said the draw had given Benteke no favours but is still confident of scoring the $25,000 top prize.
"Box seven is just about the worst draw he could have got but he can still win,'' King said.
"This dog has no vices and he will run straight from the boxes to the first corner.
"I am a bit worried about Very Choosy, in box six, holding him up but if they all hold their line Benteke should be in front when the first bend looms up.
"He only needs to begin cleanly and he usually does that.''
The son of Collision and Pearl Napoleon won by a devastating ten lengths on debut before cruising home by eight lengths in the semi-final.
Benteke, bought for $4000 as a three-month-old puppy by coal miners Greg Remfrey and Craig Ralphs and sharing the name of the Liverpool FC and Belgian striker, is one of the hottest prospects in NSW greyhound racing and looks tough to stop in this race.
Of his rivals, only Wicked Warrior ($5), who won his semi in 29.96, has broken the 30 second barrier at Wentworth Park so far.
Meanwhile, gun Hunter Valley trainer Jason MACKAY saw his pre-post Easter Egg favourite Duna Runa bundled out of the series in the semi-finals but he can collect a consolation double on Saturday night with ZIPPING-lilly">ZIPPING-lilly">ZIPPING">ZIPPING Lilly in the Group 3 New Sensation (race three, 520m) and Berzerk">Berzerk in the Ultra Sense (race six, 520m).
Each has drawn ideally in box one and both should be improved by their second placings in their heats, when they exited boxes four and three respectively.
ZIPPING-lilly">ZIPPING">ZIPPING Lilly (3.60) has a best of 30.31 at Wentworth Park and is in consistent form, having scored four consecutive placings.
She may face a tough test, however, from El Magnifico (box five, $3F with Sportsbet).
The Julie Fletcher-trained greyhound has an impressive best of 29.96 at Wentworth Park and won two of his six visits to the track.
He has run .02 outside track record at Bulli over the 472m and has scored two placings from two previous starts from box five.
Berzerk ($3), who has transferred to MACKAY’s kennel from gun Victorian mentor Jason Thompson, has the consistent record of 18 wins and 22 minor placings from 59 starts
He has won three times and placed three times in 10 previous starts from box one.
Goldengrove Lad (box seven) is the $3 joint favourite After his brilliant 29.62 win from box four last week.
The Syd Swain-trained greyhound is a class performer but is usually much better drawn closer to the rails, having only scored one win and one minor placing from seven previous starts from this box.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden Box Draw: (Sportsbet prices in brackets): 1. Fabulous Five ($8) 2. ZIPPING-johnny">ZIPPING">ZIPPING Johnny ($21) 3. Wicked Warrior ($5) 4. Kay Dee Em ($15) 5. ZIPPING Jordan ($15) 6. Very Choosy ($12) 7. Benteke ($1.90) 8. Lowanna's Son ($5). 1R: Lochinvar Brogue, 2R: Pale Teddy ($31).
Group 3 New Sensation Box Draw (Sportsbet prices in brackets): 1. ZIPPING-lilly">ZIPPING Lilly ($3.60) 2. Wild Torn Blazer ($31) 3. ZIPPING-bruiser">ZIPPING Bruiser ($7) 4. Auroras ($41) 5. El Magnifico ($3) 6. Blue Pirate ($18) 7. Tilly's Boy ($4) 8. Megalodon ($5). 1R: Husvinu, 2R: Lutiger.
Ultra Sense Box Draw: (Sportsbet prices in brackets): 1. Berzerk ($3) 2. Skate Thin Ice ($8.50) 3. Vidi Vici ($5) 4. Bearly With It ($6.50) 5. Hugo Boss ($13) 6. Karma Connie ($17) 7. Goldengrove Lad ($3) 8. Georgina ($26).. 1R: Takedown, 2R: Rumbing Rascal.
Prices correct at the time of writing.
