Winsome April may have been the slowest qualifier in the heats of thedogs.com.au Maiden Series, but she only needs to begin well to feature in Wednesday night’s final (race six, 520m) at Wentworth Park.
In her heat the TODD Barnes-trained greyhound bungled the start completely and suffered interference before coming from fourth at the top of the straight to finish second in Mega Fletch's 30.69 heat win, beaten two lengths.
Winsome April's litter brother Winsome Spring gave Barnes, a 28-year-old plumber, his first city winner with a sizzling 29.98 performance but connections say there is little between the siblings.
And while Winsome Spring is not badly positioned in box three in the final, Winsome April's rails draw could tip the scales in her favour on Wednesday night.
Fastest qualifier Reviewer, who won his heat in 29.97, has drawn awkwardly in box eight.
After the heats trainer Garry Williams said that while his charge was usually a good beginner, he was hoping for an inside draw in the final.
And the presence in box seven on Wednesday of another smart beginner, Black Hole Sun, makes Reviewer's task a formidable one.
In other racing at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night, the odds will be short but the old adage “you can't go broke backing winners” comes into play with Bessy Boo expected to notch his 31st Wentworth Park win in the free-for-all Ladbrokes Bet Better Stakes (race seven, 520m).
Bessy Boo won in the fastest time of the night last Wednesday night, coming from box four and midfield early to win a Masters race comfortably.
But on Wednesday Bessy Boo has drawn the rails, so the noted “box one bandit” should record his ninth win while wearing the red rug.
His only serious rival looks to be Jack Kade (box four) but he is a wide runner who should ensure Bessy Boo gets the run of the race.
Southern Highlands trainer Ken Markham, meanwhile, could quinella the opening event - the Goulburn To Wenty Final (race one, 520m).
Markham has qualified with World's On Fire (box one) and Getwood Dancer (box eight).
“If I had been allowed to choose the draw for my pair they are the boxes I would have selected,” Markham said.
“World's On Fire is probably about two lengths quicker than Getwood Dancer and although he had box one when third in his heat at Goulburn, I think that if he can hold the lead at the first turn at Wenty he will be hard to beat.
“Getwood Dancer won at Wentworth Park without a trial on the track on May 25 and from box four that was a good effort. She is ideally boxed in eight on Wednesday.”
Sugar Man, with a 25.20 performance, was the fastest Goulburn heat winner with Getwood Dancer only slightly slower at 25.28.
But Sugar Man, who is untried at Wentworth Park, has drawn awkwardly in box four.
For Wentworth Park Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Wednesday picks:
Best Bet: Bessy Boo (Race 7)
Best Value: Winsome April (Race 6)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 2, 5, 4
Race 6 - 1, 3, 7
Race 7 - 1, 4
Race 8 - 6, 3, 1
$20 for 37.03%
