Fastest qualifier Clock's Ticking's (pictured) Chances in Saturday night's final of the Group 3 Christmas Gift (520m) at Wentworth Park hinge on what Mister Twister does at box rise.
That's the opinion of Clock's Ticking's trainer Jason Magri, who believes his dog will win if he can avoid Mister Twister at the start.
"Clock's Ticking's box five draw is okay as long as Mister Twister does not jump with him and veer left,'' Magri said.
"Early in his career Mister Twister wanted to cut to the rails but as dogs mature they sometimes get out of that habit so I'm hoping he runs straight when he leaves the boxes.
"My dog pulled up perfectly after his heat win and has had a great week.''
While Clock's Ticking posted the fastest second and third splits and recorded the best overall time in the heats, Big Chicken clocked a slick 5.47 first sectional time in her heat win.
Bessy Boo, who has won 31 Wentworth Park 520m races, turns five in March and while far and away the veteran of the Christmas Gift finalists, box one gives him a chance of adding $25,000 to his earnings of $337,311.
"Obviously it is going to be tough because old Bessy Boo is racing against these up-and-coming young dogs but the rails draw gives him a hope,'' trainer Christine Proctor said.
"From box one he should get a clear run and get around the first turn safely.
"Bessy Boo had box six in his heat and when he was so far back coming to the home bend all I was hoping for was that he might sneak into third place. When he rocketed home to finish second, earning a place in the final, I could not believe it.''
Clock's Ticking's trainer Jason Magri could land a winning treble as he has Master Gambler in box five in the Family Night At Wenty Stakes and Wicked Warrior in box eight in the gapnsw.com.au Stakes.
"Master Gambler is a big, gangly dog who is still learning but I have always had a high opinion of him,'' Magri said. "He overcame trouble at the first turn to win at his Wenty debut on December">December 7.
"Wicked Warrior finished third at Wentworth Park on December 10 but he bungled the start and then, after scooting into second place at the first turn, he was dragged down.
"He had box eight in that race and from the same draw on Saturday he is going to have to begin better.''
National Derby winner Magic Spring's trainer Noelene Holloway will unveil her newcomer Fascinate Joshua at Wentworth Park in Saturday's Sky Racing Stakes (race 10, 520m).
Fascinate Joshua followed a Gosford 515m win with an all-the-way victory over 472m at Bulli on December 3.
"I gave him a look at Wentworth Park after the last race on Monday night and Fascinate Joshua clocked 30.60,'' Holloway said.
"While those figures are not flash the fastest time at the race meeting that night was only 30.54.''
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Saturday picks:
Best Bet: Master Gambler (Race 3)
Best Value: Takedown (Race 5)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 8, 7, 3
Race 6 - 7, 5
Race 7 - 2, 4, 7
Race 8 - 5, 4, 1
$20 for 37.03%
