Zipping Chang was costly to punters when an odds-on favourite and runner-up at Wentworth Park on Saturday but should square the ledger by winning at headquarters tonight.
The Jason Mackay">Mac">MacKAY-trained greyhound has Box 4 in Race 2, a 520m fifth grade, and should only need to begin as cleanly as he did from Box 8 on Saturday to win this week.
Red Road Runner, who has Box 3, came out running and crossed sharply to the rails before setting the pace but tiring badly when third, from Box 8, at Wentworth Park last Wednesday.
He looks poised to give Zipping Chang a clear run to the first turn.
Last Saturday Zipping Chang was having his first start for three months but trainer Mackay">Mac">MacKAY expected him to win.
"He had every chance and when he went around the first corner sitting behind the leader, Friend Of Man, I thought Zipping Chang would win for sure,'' Mackay">Mac">MacKAY said.
"I was a bit disappointed with his run because he was fit enough and had been trialling the place down.
"In fact Zipping Chang recently clocked similar time to my former group one winner Ando's Mac in a slip around the LADBROKES GARDENS track.''
Zipping Chang's owner Marty Hallinan could land a double as he is the trainer of Simon Keeping, who has Box 4 in Race 3, a 720m fifth grade.
Hallinan trains Simon Keeping for his owner-breeder Shayne Stiff and says he has no doubt about the dog's ability to run out a strong 720m at Wentworth Park.
"I have only had Simon Keeping for his past two starts, when he came from last to finish 3rd over 520m at Wentworth Park on July 29 and when he flew home to finish 2nd over 595m at Andown">SAndown, Melbourne, last Thursday night,'' Hallinan said.
"At Andown">SAndown Simon Keeping gave the leaders 20 lengths start at one stage and was beaten just over nine lengths.
"And according to his owner he would not have been suited by the wet conditions.
"Shayne Stiff told me Simon Keeping hates the rain, he reckons he is a real sook.
"From what I've seen of the dog he is not totally reliable but if he puts his mind on the job on Wednesday he looks to be in a suitable race considering he won over 715m at Andown">SAndown for a previous trainer.''
Rusty Memories, once deemed a tardy beginner, should only have to come out smartly to lead throughout in the Ladbrokes Ride Guide Final, a 520m fifth grade.
Joe Lannutti, manager of the syndicate which owns Rusty Memories, said: "When we bought the dog his previous owner-trainer warned us he was a very risky beginner.
"But our trainer Mark Davidson has worked wonders with him because Rusty Memories has come out running at four of his past five starts.
"That has resulted in three wins and a second and Box 5 in the final looks okay because Rusty Memories flew out from Box 4 in his heat win.
"And in the final the dog in Box 4 lacks early speed while the Box 6 runner gets wide.''
Rusty Memories' trainer Mark Davidson said: "This will be the dog's third start in a week but he pulled up well after his win last Saturday night.
"After Wednesday I will give Rusty Memories 10 days off and get him ready for the Group 2 Black Top at LADBROKES GARDENS on August 18.''
Best Bet Zipping Chang (race 2)
Best Value Simon Keeping (race 3)
Quaddie race 5 - 2, 7, 8
Race 6 - 5, 2, 4
Race 7 - 2, 5
Race 8 - 2, 4, 8
$20 for 37.03%
