Littermates Yankee's Ethics and Red Sox Ethics were each desperately unlucky at Wentworth Park last week, but the David Smith-trained greyhounds are drawn to make amends at headquarters tonight.
Yankee's Ethics has box two in race eight - the 4/5th grade wentowrthpark.com.au Stakes (520m) - while his sister has box one in race nine - the 5th grade Sky Racing Stakes (520m).
Red Sox Ethics drew box six last Wednesday but looked all over a winner when a close second at the first turn Before losing all chance after suffering a check.
Yankee's Ethics, meanwhile, was a fast finishing second to Hunter's Charm in his race last week but would have won had he not been hampered when angling for a rails run leaving the back straight.
“And Yankee's Ethics went up with the lids when the boxes opened last Wednesday so hopefully he can begin cleanly this time,” Smith said.
Smith said his other greyhound Infrared Ethics, who won at Wentworth Park last week and has box one in race eight, should play into the hands of Yankee’s Ethics.
“Although Infrared Ethics won at Wentworth Park last week he is nowhere nearly as quick as Yankee's Ethics,” Smith said.
“And through drawing the rails Infrared Ethics should not worry Yankee's Ethics early because he usually goes left when the boxes open so should give his brother a clear run to the first turn.
“Before his unlucky fifth last week Red Sox Ethics had only been to Wenty once, in a maiden heat back in March. He finished fourth from an unsuitable box eight draw in that race and he is a much better greyhound now.”
In other action at Wentworth Park, Fay's Book has not raced or trialled at Wentworth Park but a near record trial at Cowra indicates the promising youngster can win first-up in tonight's Bathurst to Wentworth Park Final (race two, 520m).
Fay's Book was an unlucky second in her heat at Bathurst and trainer Joe De Freitas, based at Canowindra, gives her a great chance.
“Since moving from the south coast out to Canowindra to breed and rear greyhounds, my 14-year-old son Jack has been a great help so I gave him Fay's Book as a reward,” De Freitas said.
“Fay's Book is fairly new to 520m racing but won first up over that distance after trialling a smart 26.26 over 453m at my local track, Cowra, at her first test over that trip. At her next Cowra 453m trial she broke 26 seconds, a time seldom accomplished there.”
“Fay's Book's sub-26 second trial is indeed outstanding as the track record, 25.76 is held by the Maitland Gold Cup winner Marbo's Magic, a top grade sprinter and a winner of 18 races.”
While Fay's Book looms as tonight's best each-way chance, there should also be good value in the speedy Portillo, who has box two in race 10, which is a 5th grade event (520m).
Portillo had won three consecutive races at Dapto Before making her Wentworth Park debut last Wednesday night when she finished a creditable fourth to Make A Million.
Portillo disputed the early lead with top grade sprinter Sound Advice Before fading in the run home, but she meets lesser opposition this week.
“Last Wednesday was the first time Portillo had been out of the starting boxes at Wenty but she had been hand-slipped from post-to-post there and had recorded a nippy 24.50,'' Portillo’s trainer John Smart said.
Chevy King has won his past five Wentworth Park races but the Christine Proctor-trained greyhound will need luck to enhance his tally in tonight's sixth race, the Ladbrokes.com.au Free-For-All (520m).
Chevy King has box five and fast beginners She's Grand (box two) and Good Odds Angel (four) could prevent him from adopting his pet role as pacemaker.
Jeff Collerson's Selections
Best Bet: Red Sox Ethics (Race 9)
Best Value: Fay's Book (race 2)
Quaddie
Race 5 - 4, 2, 5
Race 6 - 2, 4, 5
Race 7 - 1, 6
Race 8 - 2, 1, 7
$20 for 37.03%
