Gatt Has Specific Chance For Wentworth Park

By Jeff Collerson

Specific has had just one win and four unplaced runs from five Wentworth Park appearances but a move to the rails box should see the Mark Gatt-trained greyhound improve his strike rate on Saturday night.

Specific will wear the red rug in race nine, a fifth grade heat, and Gatt believes the draw is a huge advantage.

"My dog's problem is that he doesn't have much early pace,'' Gatt said.

"He has certainly got his favourite box on Saturday night, though, and while his best Wenty time is 30.15, I think with a clear run he can get down to 29.90 at the track.''

Specific won from box four at Wentworth Park on March 13 but was unplaced from boxes eight, five and eight at his three subsequent races at headquarters.

I rate him the best bet of the night despite the presence of Struggle Street, well drawn in box eight, and Zipping Lilly, who overcame a slow start to win in a sizzling 29.78 at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night.

But Struggle Street was heavily backed and disappointed when fifth from box six at his most recent Wentworth Park outing while Zipping Lilly secured a dream rails run at the first turn before her strong win on Wednesday.

Zipping Lilly is awkwardly placed on Saturday night as she has box seven, with smart beginner New Direction drawn in box five.

Zipping Lilly's kennelmate Zipping Bruiser, who gave trainer Jason MACKAY a winning double at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night, could produce back-to-back city wins in race two, another grade five heat.

Zipping Bruiser relished his box eight draw on Wednesday, taking the lead on the back straight for a runaway win in 29.77.

"He has box five on Wednesday which obviously is not as good as box eight, his favourite draw,'' MACKAY said.

Zipping Bruiser likes to run in the middle of the track so box five is okay, the further away from the rails he is drawn the better he likes it.

"Saturday night's field does not look as strong as the line-up he defeated on Wednesday night.''

Outsider Kall Her Karisma could be Zipping Bruiser's toughest opponent.

While Zipping Bruiser is a wide runner, Kall Her Karisma is a tenacious railer so is well positioned in box two.

She veered left and collided at the start when a distant second, from box three, to Miss Foxy Lee at Wentworth Park last Saturday night.

Kall Her Karisma's trainer Fred Xuereb concedes her opposition is strong but gives his greyhound a chance.

"She does not turn two until July so I don't think we will see the best of her for six months or so,'' Xuereb said.

"But with a good start and a clear run to the first corner I think she can run around the 30.10 mark at Wentworth Park.

"While she is still learning she does every thing right in her races and is a very keen chaser, always a big asset.''

My best value bet on Saturday night is the Neville Brown-trained Princess Sophia, who has box eight in the race three fifth grade heat.

She led throughout from box four to win in 29.93, best time of the night at Wentworth Park on March 30, before having no luck when third from box eight to Defaulter's 30.10 at the same track last Saturday night.

With fast beginning, keen railers Tap Out Axe and Zambra Icon in boxes four and six respectively and slow starter To A Tee in box seven, Princess Sophia is poised to get the run of the race.

For Wentworth Park Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.

Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Wednesday picks:

Best Bet: Specific (Race 9)

Best Value:
Princess Sophie (Race 3)

Quaddie: Race 5 - 6, 1, 2
Race 6 - 6, 8, 2
Rac e 7 - 2, 7
Race 8 - 4, 1, 5
$20 for 37.03%