The most promising young greyhounds in training will contest nine Heats of the Group 3 Ladbrokes Magic Maiden (520m) at Wentworth Park tonight.
Several outstanding prospects are seeking positions in the semi-finals of the three week series, with the $25,000 to the winner final staged at Wentworth Park on Easter Saturday.
Exciting greyhound Shockwave">Shockwave has drawn superbly in box seven in Heat five, while boom western districts trained newcomers Kihael Koalmina and Watch The Wasp">Wasp clash from box seven and eight respectively in Heat seven.
Shockwave, prepared by Dean Swain, tracked wide when she won a Wentworth Park performance trial in 30.42 on March 7.
The time, posted on a heavy track, was quickest of the night and the greyhound has since clocked top grade figures of 29.85 in a solo hit-out at Wentworth Park.
Watch The Wasp, who broke the Bathurst">Bathurst 450m record with a 25.44 performance trial on March 20, faces stern opposition from Kihael Koalmina along with Swiftly Laurie and One Safe Place, who have boxes two and four respectively.
One Safe Place led throughout to win a Bathurst">Bathurst 450m trial in a slick 25.68 on February 20 while Kihael Koalmina recorded a brilliant 25.57 winning an identical trial on March 13.
"(Watch The Wasp) would also be better suited drawn inside but I'm hoping Kim's dog gives my bloke a cart across to the fence,” the greyhound’s trainer David Pringle said.
"If Watch The Wasp begins cleanly and gets across his rivals he will be hard to beat.''
Pringle also has Midnight Secret in Heat one, Rusty Memories in Heat six and Midnight Francis in Heat eight.
“Midnight Secret is no world beater but seems to be in an average Heat while Rusty Memories will be at the back of the field early but gets to the line powerfully,” Pringle said.
“Midnight Francis has surprised me the way she has kept improving. She only clocked 30.51 in her 520m performance trial at Bathurst on January 16, but has improved (since then).”
Heat three is among the strongest with Bad Boy Dougie, Zipping Chang, Kihael Road and Umatilla having displayed good trial form.
Bad Boy Dougie led all the way to win a performance hit-out in 30.31, which was the best trial of the night at Wentworth Park on March 15, and is well placed in his Heat near the rails in box three.
Bad Boy Dougie’s trainer Jodie Van Enkhuyzen could land a double as she has a high opinion of Blitzing Lass, who has box one in Heat six.
Blitzing Lass almost fell at the first turn in her performance trial at Wentworth Park last Wednesday and after giving the leader 20 lengths' start in the middle stages went down by only two lengths in 30.88.
“Blitzing Lass is ideally drawn and as long as she stays out of trouble she will be hard to hold off at the finish,” Van Enkhuyzen's partner Peter Lagogiane said.
For Wentworth Park Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Best Value: Blitzing Lass (Race 6)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 7, 4
Race 6 - 1, 7
Race 7 - 8, 7, 2, 4
Race 8 - 5, 6, 1
$20 for 41.66%
