Lovelace has not previously drawn box four but she can overcome that obstacle in Saturday night's Ladbrokes Monthly Medal final (race six, 720m) at Wentworth Park, according to her trainer John Smart.
In last week's heats Lovelace dwelt at the start and was checked in the early stages before coming away to score a tenacious win in 42.76, making her the fastest qualifier for Saturday’s final.
Angry Thunder, the other heat winner who has box five in the final, led throughout but took 43.08 to cover the distance.
“I don't think box four will worry Lovelace if they leave her alone and she has a bit of luck at the first corner,” Smart said.
“She pulled up well After her heat win and she went nicely when I trialled her over 472m at Bulli on Tuesday morning.
“The track was wet but Lovelace clocked 26.60, which is a very good run for a stayer, while her run home time was excellent.
“Lovelace will be on the lead from Tuesday until race night so she is going to be on her game on Saturday.”
In other action on Saturday night, box one gives Benteke a great chance of turning the tables on Mack Tux in Saturday night's AAA Radiator Specialists Final (race eight, 520m).
Benteke is unbeaten in two races from box one and when he contested his heat he was having his first race since being struck down with tonsillitis, eventually finishing second to Mack Tux.
Benteke’s trainer Ruth King expects further improvement from her greyhound this Saturday.
“After recovering from the illness Benteke proved he was as good as gold by trialling 29.60 for 520m at Dapto and then recording 24.23 in a post-to-post hand-slip at Wentworth Park,” King said.
“But he is a big lump of a dog, nearly 35kg, and because dogs of that size take longer to come to hand he could have been short of match fitness in his heat as he had been out of action for eight weeks.”
But King has a healthy respect for Mack Tux (box five), who won in 30.13 and also for the Paul Bigeni-trained Gate Blaster (box eight), who ran down Milldean Focus to win his heat in 30.18.
Gate Blaster had not seen Wentworth Park before the heats so the greyhound could be an improver.
Best value bet of the night appears to be Cawbourne Kristy, who looks well suited drawn in box six for the 4/5th grade www.gapnsw.com.au Stakes (race seven, 520m).
Cawbourne Kristy is a risky beginner but possesses electrifying pace once she hits the ground and with an even getaway can lead throughout at nice odds.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson’s Wentworth Park Saturday selections:
Best Bet: Benteke (Race 8)
Best Value: Cawbourne Mristy (Race 7)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 6, 4, 1
Race 6 - 4, 1, 6
Race 7 - 6, 2
Race 8 - 1, 8, 5
$20 for 37.03%
