Set To Storm, who had not won a race at Wentworth Park before last Saturday night, goes into this Saturday's final of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Peter Mosman Classic as the fastest qualifier and arguably the most suitably drawn.
The Jodie Van Enkhuyzen-trained Set To Storm, who led throughout to win the fourth semi-final in 29.63, has drawn superbly in box eight in the final.
Set To Storm, who was having only her ninth race when she won her semi-final, looks the greyhound to beat in the final as she not only recorded the quickest semi-final time but also posted the fastest first split of 5.41.
In last Saturday's first semi-final Lucky Chap, who clocked the second fastest Wentworth Park time of the year when he led throughout in 29.56 in his heat, trailed Central Bark to the home bend and got up in the last hop to win in 29.95.
Mister Twister showed his penchant for box one with a dazzling all-the-way 29.66 performance to easily defeat Yankee's Ethics in the second semi-final.
Then the marvellous Victorian Up Hill Jill cruised into her fourth Group 1 final by leading throughout to trounce the improving fellow Victorian Chasin' Crackers in 29.89.
Set To Storm was Chased all the way by Corrupt Millions to set the time standard in the next Classic run-off.
Trainers who have greyhounds in the final, were on the whole disappointed with where their greyhound drew in the Group 1 feature.
Up Hill has drawn box six for Saturday’s Group 1 final, a draw that has disappointed her trainer David Geall, although Mister Twister, a keen railer in box five, could give Geall’s greyhound a cart across in the run to the first turn.
Mister Twister's trainer Jason Mackay said his greyhound needed to be drawn as close to the rails as possible, while Lucky Chap's trainer Anthony Azzopardi predicted that his greyhound will want to run to the right so believed box four was not ideal for him.
Central Bark's trainer Mark Bell, however, was happy with box three.
“Although he had box six in his semi-final I wanted him drawn closer to the rails in the final. If Central Bark begins like he did tonight he has a great chance,” Bell said.
Box draw for Saturday's $75,000 Group 1 Ladbrokes Peter Mosman Classic is: 1. Chasin' Crackers 2. Corrupt Millions 3. Central Bark 4. Lucky Chap 5. Mister Twister 6. Up Hill Jill 7. Yankee's Ethics 8. Set To Storm. Reserves: 9. Chase The Cash 10. Rita's Boy.
Saturday night's Wentworth Park card also featured an exciting 720m duel between National Derby winner Big Daddy Bee, making his long-distance debut at headquarters, and Mr. Shire, the Unibet Gardens 600m record holder.
Big Daddy Bee got away with a big lead but Mr. Shire caught him on the line to win by a head in a fast 42.26.
Big Daddy Bee's run was a strong pointer to his chances in this Saturday's Ladbrokes $20,000 Up For The Challenge final, while Mr. Shire's trainer Bob McColm expects his greyhound to go even better at his next start.
“Mr. Shire really tried hard tonight, so much so that he cramped up a bit after the race,” McColm said.
“I will give him next week off and Mr. Shire will be back at Wenty the following Saturday where he should be improved by tonight's race, his first 720m hit-out this year.”
Mister Twister's owners, the Tiger Seven Syndicate, wound up Saturday night with a bang when Kong led throughout to win a 520m 5th grade in a brilliant 29.68.
See you next week!
