Flying stayer Ebby Ripper will meet gun WA contender Woodvale Flyer while NSW stars Mr. Shire and Starzsa Light go head-to-head in this Saturday’s Group 3 Ladbrokes Gold Cup (720m) heats.
Ebby Ripper jumps from box six in the first of the two heats of the $25,000-to-the-winner series fresh from setting an unofficial 717m track record at Richmond last Friday in the ‘Battle of the Stayers’ with Starzsa Light.
The Michael Eberand-trained greyhound has built the fine record of 10 wins and seven minor placings from 27 starts and with a smart best of 42.17 over this trip looks a strong chance for the series.
Her toughest opponent looks like Woodvale Flyer, a genuine staying talent who has run some good races over the 700m in her home state.
The Steve Withers-trained greyhound has won twice and placed twice in four starts over the 715m at Cannington and looks well up to this field.
Miss Foxy Lee (box one) is much better than her recent form suggests and with four wins from five starts wearing the red rug has the right draw to be in contention.
Fantastic Bear (box seven) has an impressive best of 42.15 at Wentworth Park – albeit almost a year ago – while Bolt Like Bekim (box eight) won over the 720m at Wentworth Park last Saturday night in 42.43 and looks the best roughie chance for the series.
Starzsa Light (box four) looks the big threat for the series alongside Ebby Ripper but faces a tough field in the second heat.
One of the stars of the gun Dean Swain kennel, Starsza Light has won four of her last six starts and defeated Ebby Ripper over the 720m at Wentworth Park on March 4 with a typically powerful run.
Exciting talent Mr. Shire (pictured, box five) has scored three 600m track records at Unibet Gardens over the last year and returned from four months out with a comfortable win over the 600m at Gosford last start.
He has a best of 42.33 for this distance and looks a big danger.
Melissa’s Pride (box three) has run some good races over the staying trip, including sharing last December’s Group 3 Summer Cup with class Victorian Ring The Bell in a dead heat and is a big danger.
Jaimandy Hatty (box six) has been one of Victoria’s most consistent stayers over the last year and looks a good chance to take the title.
The son of Barcia Bale and Jaimandy Emily is making his Wentworth Park debut but has built the impressive record of 14 wins and 24 minor placings in 48 starts.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields and form, click here.
