The Mark Gatt-trained greyhound Ritza Lenny will be sent out a raging hot favourite in this Saturday’s Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic (520m) at Wentworth Park.
Ritza Lenny qualified for this weekend’s feature event after taking out his semi final in a time of 29.82, and has drawn favourably in box one for the final.
“Ritza Lenny came from behind to win his semi-final on a track that had been turned over during the week and was on the slow side,” Gatt said this week.
“And he has not been beaten in three starts out of box one.”
Mark Merlino, a long-time bookmaker at the greyhounds, is a keen form student who spends hours daily studying video replays and he believes Ritza Lenny is the one to beat.
“The only way I can see Ritza Lenny being beaten is if Tap Out Scarlet, who has box five and is a fast beginner and good railer, blocks his run to the first turn," Merlino said.
NSW greyhounds are in with a great chance to take out this year’s Peter Mosman Classic, with El Magnifico and Runway Idole looking the main dangers to Ritza Lenny.
El Magnifico, who clocked 29.59 in his fastest heat win, went quicker last week than Ritza Lenny, posting 29.72 in his semi-final victory.
But El Magnifico had box two last Saturday so is at a disadvantage from box eight this week. His trainer Julie Fletcher has won 10 Group races but a Group 1 has always eluded her.
Fletcher's husband Bruce said if El Magnifico had drawn closer to the rail they would have been supremely confident, however, they are not ruling out their greyhound’s chances.
“From box eight El Magnifico faces a big task but if he jumps well he may be able to use his bulk to get across his rivals,” Bruce Fletcher said.
“At his only Wentworth Park race from box eight he handled the draw well and won, and in his heat and semi-final wins he has jumped better than ever before. And El Magnifico could not be fitter, he is in the best form of his career.”
Christine Proctor, who won the 2014 Peter Mosman Classic with Bessy Boo, also gives her 2016 finalist Runway Idole a chance.
“Runway Idole has good early speed and that is always an asset in big races,” Proctor said.
"And she will run in a straight line from box six to the first corner. Runway Idole has taken a while to become stronger at the finish and when she was run down by Ritza Lenny last week the heavy track did not suit her.”
Andrea Dailly trained the trifecta in last year’s Peter Mosman Classic with the mighty Fernando Bale defeating his kennelmates Dyna Double One and Elfen Bale, but the Victorian trainer only has Shima Song in this year’s Group 1.
Shima Song led throughout but failed to break the 30 second barrier in her semi, stopping the clock at 30.07. She will jump from box three on Saturday night.
Dailly's fellow Victorian trainer Jason Thompson, who landed the 2016 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg with Moreira, looks to have only a rough chance on Saturday night with Buck Forty (box two) and Invictus Rapid (box four).
Invictus Rapid is awkwardly positioned to the left of Tap Out Scarlet while Buck Forty, although well drawn, lacks early speed.
While Ritza Lenny appeals at the best bet on Saturday night, the Peter Spiteri-trained Let It Develop looks the meeting's best value wager as he chases his 26th win in the open grade Bill Baker Memorial Stakes (520m).
A win will nudge Let It Develop's earnings past the $100,000 mark and while the greyhound has box six trainer Spiteri is happy with the draw.
“I love seeing Let It Develop in box six, seven or eight,” Spiteri said.
“He has won his past three starts at Canberra and Dapto and although he turns four in November, Let It Develop has simply found another great in recent weeks.”
Spiteri's greyhounds are in fine form as Let It Develop's litter brother Jack Kade rung up win number 26 at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Selections:
Best Bet: Ritza Lenny (Race 8)
Best Value: Let It Develop (Race 6)
Quaddie
Race 5 - 1, 6
Race 6 - 6, 8, 2
Race 7 - 1, 2, 6
Race 8 - 1, 8, 6
$20 for 37.03%
