NSW star Ritza Lenny can make a successful comeback while in-form Barking Bad also looks ready to salute again at today’s terrific Maitland meeting.
Ritza Lenny (pictured) jumps from box seven in the Station Hotel Fishing Club Stakes (race five, 450m) aiming to further extend his impressive record of 16 wins and nine minor placings from 36 starts.
The star of the gun western Sydney Mark Gatt kennel and a winner of last year’s Group 2 Bob Payne Spring Sprint, Ritza Lenny has been sidelined by a toe injury since his last start victory at Wentworth Park on November 30.
The son of Barcia Bale and Lagoon Lowanna has only scored one placing in five previous starts wearing the black rug but did score a sizzling 24.90 victory over this trip last year.
“He hasn’t raced for a while but his trials have been as good as they were before,” Gatt said.
“People think he’s better drawn out wide but if you look at his record, he’s done better from the inside.
“There’s plenty of speed in this race but if he gets that all-important clear run then he should be in the mix.
“He got beaten in a 5th grade race the last time he was at Maitland so really we just hope he runs a decent race and works himself back up to his top form again.”
Despite that modest record from box seven, Ritza Lenny looks capable of overcoming some tricky opposition in this race.
Brooklyn Bad (box eight) has won all four of his previous starts wearing the pink rug and looks the biggest danger, while Irish Sprite (box three) has mixed form recently but has clocked a smart 25.13 over this trip.
Gatt said Ritza Lenny was now being aimed for the heats of the Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup on February 18.
Meanwhile, recent Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup winner Barking Bad aims to continue his consistent form with a win in the Maitland Monthly Medal Stakes (race seven, 400m).
The Michael Eberand-trained greyhound made it two wins and six minor placings in his last eight starts with a terrific 29.78 victory at Wentworth Park last Saturday night.
He has won on three of his last four visits to Maitland and looks the clear top pick in this race.
Midnight Bolt (box two) has scored two superb recent wins at Bulli and can secure the hat-trick in the 5th grade Station Hotel Kurri Stakes (race three, 450m).
Woodlands Drive (box one) has won his last three starts, including two at Maitland and looks ideally positioned to salute again in the 4/5th grade Mongrels Mountain Bike Stakes (race four, 450m).
For Maitland Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
