Exciting youngster Too Good Thommo launches his bid for Group 1 glory when he makes his Wentworth Park debut in tonight's Wednesday night's First Ladbrokes National Derby Prelude (520m).
The Mark Bell-trained greyhound, who won last start at Dapto and has also performed well at Maitland, jumps from box five aiming for his first Wentworth Park victory.
While Too Good Thommo lacks Wentworth Park experience he has trialled well enough to win first-up.
"I gave him a box-to-bost hand-slip at Wenty and his sectional times were 5.43 and 13.93,'' Bell said. "I have not had a greyhound go any better when having their first look at Wenty.
"Too Good Thommo tends to scratch at the starting box lids after I put him in but most of the time he nails the start and he will run in a direct line from box five to the first turn. He won't veer towards the rails.''
Bell is aiming Too Good Thommo for the heats of the Group 1 National Derby at Wentworth Park on January 28 and the Austral trainer knows what it takes to win the time-honoured classic.
He won the 2001 National Derby with Mean Bean, a few months after taking out the 2000 Melbourne Cup with Go Wild Teddy.
Bell is a keen lawn bowler and trains Too Good Thommo, who has clocked slick times in four provincial wins, for a syndicate of first-time owners who are members of his bowling club.
When Long Spring Neck won at Wentworth Park on December 10 he exited box seven but trainer Chris Carl considers his greyhound more suitably drawn nearer the rails in box three in tonight's Second National Derby Prelude.
"I really don't know what he will do from inside because Long Spring Neck has mostly drawn out wide," Carl said. "The way he races I think he is nicely boxed."
"He is a hit or miss beginner but possesses good pace once he hits the ground and when he finished third to Aisle Tifi at Wentworth Park on Christmas Eve Long Spring Neck found the line well.''
Long Spring Neck's toughest rival looms as the improving Sound Advice, who has box four.
Sound Advice led throughout at his Wentworth Park debut last Friday, setting up a huge early lead before fading in the straight to win by just under two lengths in 30.53.
"Sound Advice's Maitland form had been very good but I thought he might struggle at the end of the 520 metres last Friday,'' said Alan Proctor, whose wife Christine trains the greyhound.
"We trialled him at Wenty after he finished second over 450m at Maitland on December 8 and while he posted a smart first split of 5.45, he got very tired and recorded a disappointing 30.90 for the full 520m.
"He improved to win his race last Friday, clocking handy initial splits of 5.49 and 13.98 before winning in 30.53.''
Four-year-old veteran Brad Hill Billy is racing as well as ever and he looms as tonight's best bet in the 520m This Is Our Run Free-For-All.
The Ray Smith-trained Brad Hill Billy boasts a remarkable Wentworth Park record of 13 wins and 13 placings from 33 starts and will lift his earnings to more than $270,000 if he scores tonight.
Brad Hill Billy has box two and has won six of his 13 starts from this draw.
He proved his fitness with a last start win over 516m at Dubbo when he clocked 29.62, just .32 outside his own track record.
Astute Melbourne trainer Johnny Westerlo tonight makes a rare Sydney visit with Elusive Jewel in a heat of the Ladbrokes National Futurity Prelude (520m).
Elusive Jewel, who has won two of her past three starts at The Meadows and Sandown, is being prepared for the heats of the Group 1 Futurity at Wentworth Park on January 28.
For Wentworth Park Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's Wentworth Park Wednesday picks:
Best Bet: Brad Hill Billy (Race 3)
Best Value: Long Spring Neck (Race 4)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 5, 2, 3
Race 6 - 1, 2, 6
Race 7 - 4, 7
Raced 8 - 5, 1, 6
$20 for 37.03%
