Rocky">Rocky Fever could win himself a nomination for the Group 2 Woy Woy Poultry Gold Cup at Gosford if he impresses trainer Phillip Cini in Wednesday night's gapnsw.com.au Stakes at Wentworth Park (race two, 520m).
Rocky Fever has box eight in the 520m fourth and fifth grade event and his trainer reckons he is ideally drawn.
"I have had a bit of luck this week as I entered Rocky Fever for a 520m race and Spanish Flair for a 720m event and each drew perfectly,'' Cini said.
"Rocky Fever wants box eight and Spanish Flair needs box one but Rocky Fever is my best chance.
"At his most recent Wentworth Park start Rocky Fever had box four and finished second to Better Call Sloy, who has since won again at Wenty. I think Rocky Fever would have finished closer had he drawn the outside alley.
"Since Wenty Rocky Fever has had one run, at Gosford. winning in the fastest time of the night.
"I trialled him over 400m at Richmond on Sunday against my smart sprinter Notorious Thief and he defeated Rocky Fever by one-and-a-half lengths.
"I was satisfied with Rocky Fever's hit-out because 400m is a bit short for him while it suits Notorious Thief. For some reason Rocky Fever loves Gosford, it is his favourite track, so if he goes well on Wednesday I might throw him into the Gold Cup heats there on December 27.
"Spanish Flair hasn't been placed over 720m at Wentworth Park but he should lead from box one and if they scrimmage behind him I think he can run around 42.80 or 42.90.''
Tod Tanga, a recent Maitland winner over 400m and 450m in fast times, should only need to begin cleanly to open his metropolitan account in Wednesday night's Racing Friday Dec. 30 Stakes, 520m.
The Maureen Sharman-trained greyhound clocked 22.35 over 400m at Maitland on October 20 before storming home from the rear of the field to win in a slick 25.08 over an extra 50m there on November 10.
At his Wentworth Park debut last Wednesday night, Tod Tanga began better than expected but after going rapidly towards the first turn the only gap closed and he was shut out, losing all chance.
Tod Tanga then ran home resolutely to beat all but the placegetters in the race won by Dyna Omen.
"Before he raced at Wentworth Park I hand-slipped him from winning post to winning post at that track and he clocked 24.33, which is pretty quick,'' Sharman said.
"Unfortunately in his race last week he tore through the field like a bull at a gate instead of biding his time and waiting for a run. As a result he found trouble.
"While he is still learning he has a lot of ability.
"Tod Tanga had box two last Wednesday and I think he might be better positioned drawn out wide in box six this week.''
Promising stayer Ebby Ripper lacks early pace but should only require a clear run to prove too strong for her rivals in the 720m AAA Radiator Specialists Stakes, the race in which Spanish Flair has box one.
Ebby Ripper is suitably drawn out in box seven and trainer Michael Eberand bypassed last Saturday night's Summer Cup heats to reserve the greyhound for easier races such as this.
Since her first-up Wentworth Park 720m win in 42.85 on November 21, Ebby Ripper has gone to Richmond, winning over 717m in a brilliant 42.04.
Those figures compare well with the long-standing record of 41.66 held by Blue Lorian, the 2010 National Distance Championship winner.
Wednesday night's feature sprint is the third and fourth grade Evans & Sons Jewellers Stakes, 520m, which is the fourth leg of the quaddie.
There is an abundance of early pace in this event which could suit Bulkender">Bulkender, a dog who tends be back midfield at the first turn.
If Bulkender dwells at box rise, as he is inclined to do, he could get a dream rails run on the corner because front running speedsters Fornido and Flying Mikayla, who have boxes one and two, are likely to get wide rounding the bend.
Bulkender has box four but rails well, is strong at the finish, and is one of only two starters in this race to have broken the 30 second barrier at Wentworth Park.
For Wentworth Park Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Wednesday picks:
Best Bet: Ebby Ripper (race 4)
Best Value: Tod Tanga (race 3)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 6, 7
Race 6 - 1, 4
Race 7 - 2, 3, 6
Race 8 - 4, 1, 5
$20 for 55.55%
