Livewire Full Of Rust keeps Allan Manwaring on his toes but all will be forgiven if the greyhound can score a surprise win in this Saturday’s Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg (520m) semi-finals.
The Nowra Hill trainer is one step away from earning a shot at $250,000 – NSW greyhound racing’s top prize of the year – after his bolter contender continued his impressive run of form in last Saturday’s heats.
Full Of Rust (pictured, red rug) finished runner-up behind winner Star Torana in a quality heat at Wentworth Park to book a place in the second of this Saturday’s four semi-finals, taking his overall record to nine wins and six minor placings from 26 starts.
The son of Barcia Bale and Idelle Bale will battle a high-class field in the semis including stars Ando’s Mac, Striker Light and Royal Turbo, but Whatever happens trainer and greyhound will still be cheerful.
“He has to be the happiest greyhound in Australia,” Manwaring said. “We must re-make his bed five times a day as he’s always pulling it into the sun.
“He loves his ‘Schmackos’ and he’s full of little quirks that keep us on our toes.
“I honestly didn’t think he could run well against that field in the heats, but he did us proud.
“I’m realistic - he’s a fourth grade greyhound in with the big boys. He’s really a punter’s chance, but if there’s a scrimmage then who knows?”
Full of Rust clocked a moderate 30.30 in the heats but ran a smart 30.14 while winning at Wentworth Park in February.
He has scored four wins and two minor placings in his last six starts and seems to enjoy his visits to the city, having won two of his last three races at headquarters.
The greyhound’s achievements are providing plenty of cheer for married father-of-four Manwaring and his family.
“My kids keep talking about the ‘Golden Egg’,” Manwaring said. “They can’t wait for Saturday night.
“For trainers like myself, it’s a dream (to be in the semis). If you didn’t dream of winning the Easter Egg, you wouldn’t get up in the morning.
“Whatever the outcome, we’ll go home happy.”
Ando’s Mac (box two) remains one of the series favourites at $5.50 despite finishing second in his heat behind impressive winner Royal Turbo, who will jump from box five in this semi-final.
Fastest qualifier and series favourite Striker Light ($5), who clocked a brilliant 29.67 to win her heat, jumps from box three.
Nangar Bear (box two, $15) looks the favourite for the first semi-final after his scorching 29.71 win in the heats.
He will have to overcome star Victorian Up Hill Jill (box five, $6), a 29.82 heat winner who seems to love Wentworth Park, and this year’s Group 2 Gosford Gold Cup winner Barking Bad ($35) in box six.
Topper Teretto (box seven, $21), from the renowned Victorian kennel of Anthony Azzopardi, looks the favourite in semi-final three after his storming 29.81 victory from the same draw in the heats.
NSW Central West star Falcon’s Fury ($7) was a brilliant 29.71 winner in the heats but has drawn the tricky box five in the fourth semi-final.
The four semi-finals and runners-up progress to next Saturday’s decider.
Saturday’s terrific racing also features two heats of the Group 1 Association Cup for the stayers over the 720m and four heats of the Ultra Sense, a Listed race over the 520m circuit.
For Wentworth Park Saturday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
