Fastest qualifier Knight Sprite deserves his role as warm favourite for Saturday's NSW final of the Ubet National Sprint Championship at Wentworth Park but will need to be on top of his game to thwart rising star Benteke.
Knight Sprite "ran the hands off the clock'' in each sectional phase of his heat, covering the 520m in 29.89.
He left Benteke more than seven lengths astern but that greyhound's move from box seven last week to box one on Saturday could prove the big leveller.
"Before the heats Benteke broke the Dapto track record in a trial so he is going better than ever,'' trainer Ruth King said.
"But since last Saturday's heat I have restricted him to a sprint up the straight because he needs to be nice and fresh for Wentworth Park.
"That is the only way Benteke will be able to go with Knight Sprite in the early stages but if my dog does that I think he has a great chance of winning.''
Best outsider in Saturday's National Sprint is Barking Bad, who was a luckless third to rank outsider Compare in last week's other heat, with the winner clocking 30.25.
"Barking Bad had box two in his heat but he is better suited drawn wide,'' trainer Michael Eberand said.
"I was hoping for box eight this week but box six is still good, especially as there is not much early speed drawn around my dog.''
Cardiology will be hot favourite to win Saturday night's NSW final of the Ubet National Distance Championship and looks a safe bet after drawing box one.
The stayer came from second early to win her 720m heat in 42.11 with Whittaker, who has box two in the final, clocking 42.33.
"I'm naturally happy with Cardiology's box one draw and although she came from behind in her heat I would like to see her make the pace in the final,'' trainer Kayla-Jane COLEMAN said.
"She ran quick sections in her heat but still got home strongly so she has acquired more stamina as she has got older.''
Trainer Julie Fletcher is delighted with Whittaker's inside draw but concedes Cardiology will be hard to beat.
Best value in the final is the John Smart-trained Lovelace, who has box eight.
Lovelace came from the back of the field when beaten just over nine lengths into second place in Cardiology's heat but moves from box four in that race to box eight in Saturday's final.
"I am pleased to see Lovelace in box eight,'' trainer Smart said.
"Early in her long distance career Lovelace was a front runner who was better from an inside draw but with maturity she has become a dour stayer so is suited boxed on the outside.
"She has a better chance of dodging interference from box eight and will be powering home at the finish.''
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Saturday picks:
Best Bet: Cardiology (race 8)
Best Value: Benteke (race 6)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 8, 1
Race 6 - 1, 2, 6
Race 7 - 8, 4, 5
Race 8 - 1, 8, 2
$20 for 37.03%
