National Derby finalist Spritely Dancer has not raced in over four months but is trialling well enough to win first-up at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.
Camden trainer Anne Hector's consistent sprinter resumes in the www.ladbrokes.com.au Stakes, a 520m fourth grade (race six).
Spritely Dancer, a winner of four races at Wentworth Park, goes into the race with a remarkable record of 11 wins and eight placings from just 30 starts.
And with a 29.71 personal best time he is the fastest Wentworth Park dog in Saturday night's race.
"He picked up an infected toe after being unplaced in the National Derby final on January 30," Hector said. "In hindsight, I probably rushed him a bit to have him ready for the Golden Easter Egg heats on March 12.
"Spritely Dancer pulled up sore after his heat so I gave him plenty of time off and since returning to training he has been going really well.
"He has had a couple of hand-slips and a couple of trials so is fit enough and what is encouraging is that he has been jumping out well in his trials.''
Spritely Dancer, a keen railer, is well suited in box three, despite having to overcome a poor box six draw to win his National Derby heat on January 23.
Another greyhound resuming at Wentworth Park on Saturday night which is going well enough to win first-up is the Jason Mackay-trained Duna Runa, who has box seven in the www.thedogs.com.au Stakes, a 520m fourth grade.
Duna Runa has not started since June 16 but is a group race finalist and defeated Richmond Derby winner Knight Sprite in a top grade 520m event at Wentworth Park on March 12.
The drop in class should prove to be a bonus for Duna Runa (pictured), who has won two of her three Wentworth Park races and boasts an overall tally of seven wins and six placings from 21 starts.
"She would be better suited drawn closer to the inside but she is not hopeless from an outside alley, she can handle a middle or wide draw,'' trainer Jason Mackay said.
"Duna Runa is trialling well enough to win and she just needs to be in a decent position at the winning post with a lap to go.''
Benteke, back in work and trialling brilliantly after being sidelined with tonsillitis, stands out as the bet of the night after drawing box one in the AAA Radiator Specialists Final (race two, 520m).
It is also hard to go past Brad Hill Billy, a newcomer to the staying ranks, despite his box seven draw in the 720m www.wentworthpark.com.au Stakes fifth grade.
Brad Hill Billy overcame trouble to trounce a similar line-up at his 720m debut at Wentworth Park on July 6, emerging from box six and clocking a handy 42.66.
The dog has won twice from box seven and should have no trouble taking his record to 26 wins from 67 races.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Wednesday picks:
Best Bet: Benteke (Race 2)
Best Value: Spritely Dancer (Race 6)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 2, 3, 4
Race 6 - 3, 6
Race 7 - 2, 1, 7
Race 8 - 1, 4, 7
$20 for 37.03%
