Natahli Deedee looms as a strong chance to take out her semi-final of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Peter Mosman Classic at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Trained by Loretta Rice, who retired recently after a long career working for the NSW Department of Education, Nathali Dedee has box six in the third Peter Mosman semi-final (race seven, 520m).
It is the same draw that Natahli Dedee had last week when she led throughout to win her heat.
Natahli Dedee has won an astonishing five of her six starts wearing the green rug, so it is no surprise Rice is pleased her greyhound drew that again for Saturday night’s assignment.
“It is perfect because Nathali Dedee runs straight from the boxes to the first turn,” Rice said.
Fastest heat winner El Magnifico has drawn nicely in box two in the fourth semi-final (race eight), but is likely to face stern opposition from the Andrea Dailly-trained Dyna Maddie (box three).
Dailly has won two of the past four Peter Mosman Classics with Garrick Bale (2012) and FernAndo Bale (2015), and her husband Tom is happy rates Dyna Maddie the best hope among his family's five semi-finalists.
In last week's heats Dyna Maddie drew box seven and was badly hampered at the start by the winner He's Some Love, who veered left from box eight. Under the circumstances Dyna Maddie put up a gallant effort to finish third to He's Some Love and Aqua Cheetah.
“Dyna Maddie was coming off four middle distance races last week so will be a lot fresher this Saturday night,” Tom Dailly said.
"The draw is definitely better than what she had last Saturday night.”
Ando's Magic (box two) ran a scorching 29.65 in the heats from box four and looks the top pick in the first semi-final.
An exciting newcomer from the gun Victorian Brett Bravo kennel, Ando's Magic has now both his starts at Wentworth Park.
He's Some Love (box eight) has won his last four starts - all at Wentworth Park - and won from the wide draw in the heats.
Buck Forty (box five) and Aqua Cheetah (box seven), from the gun Victorian Jason Thompson kennel, both look capable of saluting as well.
The latter overcame a slow start in the heats to place and with a best of 29.90 at Wentworth Park can challenge again.
Ritza Lenny (box two) is shaping as the top pick in the second semi after his storming 29.71 victory in the heats from the same draw.
Mark Gatt's greyhound has now won 10 of his 19 starts - mostly in elite company - and with a clean start should be hard to chase down.
Early series favourite Aeroplane Tommy (box seven) only just squeezed into the semi-finals after walking out of the boxes and looks capable of improving this week.
Another from the gun Thompson kennel, he clocked an outstanding 29.44 over the 515m at SAndown Park two starts back and is sure to have been prepared well by his mentor.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson’s Wentworth Park Saturday picks:
Best Bet: Vintage Rox (Race 9)
Best Value Dyna Maddie (Race 8)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 2, 7, 5
Race 6 -7, 2, 8
Race 7 - 6, 1, 2
Race 8 - 3, 2
$20 for 37.03%
