Connections are confident Obi Kenobi will run a strong 720m when the rookie stayer makes his Wentworth Park debut in Wednesday night opening event, the stayersclub.net.au Stakes.
Trained by Andrew Monaghan at Dyraaba, 10 hours drive north of Sydney, Obi Kenobi is chasing his fourth win from his past five starts.
And while he has not been tested beyond 620m, Monaghan's wife Sarah said the family does not believe the additional 100m will cause Obi Kenobi any problems.
“We think he will run the 720m on his ear,” Sarah Monaghan said.
“Box seven is more of a concern because we would have loved to have seen Obi Kenobi in boxes one, two or three.
“But it looks a winnable race and he is a promising stayer who looks suited in an event like this, restricted to greyhounds with none to three wins.”
In other Wentworth Park action on Wednesday night, the jump is the key to the chances of Tiggerlong Dot taking out the 5th grade Ladbrokes Bet Better Stakes (race four, 520m) according to trainer Kevin Keys.
Tiggerlong Dot was the fastest qualifier for the recent Dapto Oaks, winning her heat in a blistering 29.73, before finishing sixth, from box eight, in Natahli Dedee's 29.57 final win.
“She had no hope of winning a race like that from box eight,” Keys said.
“But Tiggerlong Dot is flying at the moment and if she begins smartly I expect her to be very hard to beat.
“She is a much better greyhound when she can lead so obviously she will need to step quickly from box four to be in front at the first turn.
“But she has the early pace to be able to do so.”
Jiggly Legs has had a win, a second and a fourth from boxes eight, seven and five at his past three starts, but trainer Charlie Finianos is delighted the dog has box one in the 4/5th grade event (race five, 520m).
“He has won twice from box one and goes very well from the rails draw,” Finianos said.
“Jiggly Legs is going better now than he ever has and I expect him to get down to the low 30 seconds from the inside.”
Jiggly Legs has a neat draw and Zipping Jet and Private Road, in boxes two and three, tend to be tardy early.
While Jiggly Legs appeals as Wednesday's best value bet, the star wager of the night comes with Bambi's Billions in the final of the ladbrokes.com.au Sprint Series (race eight, 520m).
Bambi's Billions, box six, is trained by successful harness racing trainer Darryl Thomas, who took out a greyhound licence only six months ago.
In last Wednesday night's heats Bambi's Billions was backed from $1.90 to $1.60 and after beginning only fairly and being trapped wide and hampered approaching the first turn, he accelerated to the lead going through the catching pen.
The greyhound then drew away to win by nine lengths in 30.20.
Fastest heat winner was Nangar Thunder in 30.02, but the DAVE Irwin-trained dog has box two in Wednesday's final and has to contend with wide runner Runway Idole in box one.
Unlike most of his rivals, Bambi's Billions was making his Wentworth Park debut in the heats, as was his litter sister Big Chicken, who led throughout from box eight in 30.10.
Big Chicken has the same draw in the final and the front running Kristy Sultana-trained greyhound could prove her brother's toughest opponent.
Jeff Collerson's Selections
Best Bet: Bambi's Billions (Race 8)
Best Value: Jiggly Legs (Race 5)
Quaddie
Race 5 -1, 5
Race 6 - 6, 1, 3
Race 7 - 8, 1, 2
Race 8 - 6, 8, 2
$20 for 37.03%
