Smooth Over led throughout at his long-distance debut at Richmond on July 26 and his trainer is confident he can produce a repeat performance at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night.
Smooth Over, who clocked a slick 42.25 in his Richmond 717m win, has box one in the 5th grade Happy 96th Birthday To Roy Stakes (race three, 720m).
“Smooth Over went to the line strongly at Richmond and while he has not raced at Wentworth Park, he has had several trials there over shorter distances than Wednesday's 720m trip,” the greyhound’s trainer Johannes ‘Hank’ Vanderburg said.
“While Smooth Over did not have enough early speed to make the pace in sprints, he led when placed in two middle distances races at Richmond before leading again when he won at his long-distance debut. He went pretty well last run considering it was his first test beyond 700m and he is ideally positioned in box one on Wednesday.”
Smooth Over’s race is named in honour of Wentworth Park stalwart Roy Dockery, who has been attending greyhound racing since 1936, with the only interruption to his patronage being when he served in Borneo and New Guinea in World War II.
While Smooth Over appeals as tonight’s best bet, there is value too in Sheez All That, who has box one for trainer Christine Proctor in the 4th grade Follow Us On Facebook Stakes (race nine, 520m).
Sheez All That was an unlucky second from box six at Wentworth Park on July 19 then missed the jump and collided upon entering the catching pen when fourth from box four at headquarters last week.
“She is certainly well drawn and while she used to be a bit weak, Sheez All That has got stronger,” Proctor said.
“Sheez All That led when third to Dee Dee Kay at her Wentworth Park debut on December 19 but after being sidelined for over five months she has come back an improved greyhound.”
Good Odds Angel is expected to enhance her marvellous Wentworth Park record to 15 wins by taking out the free-for-all wentworthpark.com.au Stakes (race seven, 520m).
But while Good Odds Angel has never been in better form, owner Tracey Hurst and her trainer husband Frank intend retiring the greyhound shortly.
“She has done all that we have asked of her and are looking forward to obtaining a litter of pups from her, with Collision being the sire we have in mind,” Frank Hurst said.
If Good Odds Angel, who was bought as a pup from breeder Jim Coyle, wins on Wednesday, she will lift her earnings to more than $130,000.
Most interesting tussle of tonight’s card looks set to take place in the 4th grade Happy 60th Mouse Stakes (race six, 520m).
The Andrew Crouch-trained siblings Big Butters and Exultant, who have boxes one and three respectively, will do battle with the Dennis Barnes-prepared Little Nangar, a winner of 12 from 26 starts.
The draw favours Big Butters, who is chasing her fifth successive win. Crouch has always insisted that Exultant can clock faster times than Big Butters in solo trials but that dog's lack of early pace tends to give his quicker beginning sister the edge in full fields.
For Wentworth Park Wednesday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Jeff Collerson's selections
Best Bet: Smooth Over (Race 3)
Best Value: Sheez All That (race 8)
Quaddie
Race 5 - 2, 6
Race 6 - 1, 2, 3
Race 7 - 3, 8, 2
Race 8 - 1, 2, 7
$20 for 37.03%
