NSW superstar and early series favourite Ando’s Mac has been handed a tough task in Saturday night’s mouth-watering Group 1 Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg (520m) heats.
The reigning Melbourne Cup champion from the gun Hunter Valley kennel of Jason Mackay will jump from box five in the seventh of 10 brilliant heats of the $250,000-to-the-winner series, NSW’s biggest event of the year.
Ando’s Mac has built the super record of 19 wins and eight minor placings from 36 starts and has accrued more than $600,000 prize money earnings so far.
He finished well down the field in last week’s Group 2 Maitland Gold Cup decider but has only just returned from a 10-week absence and should at least be fitter for that run.
Last year’s Group 1 Vic Peters Classic champion has also won all three of his previous starts from box five.
Most of Australia’s best greyhounds have entered for this year’s terrific heats, with some great racing expected at Wentworth Park.
Last year’s runner-up Brad Hill Billy, one of the most consistent NSW performers of the last 18 months, jumps from box three in the the first heat which also includes hot WA star Astrozone (box two).
In-form Wicked Warrior (box one), a winner of five of his last six starts, looks to have drawn well in a strong heat four that includes multiple Group winner Pantera Nera (box four) and this year’s Group 2 Gosford Cup Barking Bad in box seven.
Victorian star Fanta Bale, who is currently one of Australia’s hottest greyhound with three Group 1 wins and more than $500,000 prize money earnings to her name, has drawn box seven in heat five.
The Robbie Britton-trained greyhound has not raced competitively at Wentworth Park but has won all three of her starts wearing the black rug rug.
This heat also contains this year’s Group 1 National Futurity winner Striker Light (box two) and Blazin’ Bomber, a consistent performer over the last 18 months who will have many admirers in box four.
Fellow NSW star Falcon’s Fury will also be highly fancied for the series but has been handed the tricky box eight in the ninth heat.
The recent Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup winner has won 15 of his 23 starts so far but will need to cross the likes of in-form Tap Out Axe (box three) and star WA contender Single Sticka in box six.
Recent Group 2 Richmond Oaks winner Mumma Josie jumps from box eight in the eighth heat and will face NSW star Ritza Lenny (box three) and last year’s Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic winner Buck Forty in box seven.
Buck Forty is one of the stars of the renowned Victorian kennel of Jason Thompson and looks a tempting value chance for the series.
Top Victorian Shima Song (box five, heat three), recent dazzling Wentworth Park winner Lucky Chap (box eight, heat five) and last year’s Group 1 National Sprint champion Aqua Cheetah (box four, heat nine) also look eye-catching prospects.
Each heat winner and placegetter, together with the five fastest fourth-placed greyhounds, qualifies for the semi-finals on Saturday week.
The final, the centrepiece of NSW’s most exciting night’s racing of the year with five Group finals, is on Saturday, April 15.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields and form, click here.
