Full Of Rust, described by his trainer as a strong middle distance greyhound" rather than a sprinter or stayer, has the right draw to notch his fourth sprint win in 16 Wentworth Park appearances tonight.
The greyhound has box two in the 5th grade Camden Golf Club Stakes (race four, 520m), and while Full Of Rust is more comfortable over a slightly longer trip, his trainer Allan Manwaring rates him a strong chance.
Full Of Rust has not been able to win in six 720m assignments at Wentworth Park but is a middle distance star, having won in fast times over 590m at Bulli, 600m at Dapto, 605m at Dubbo and 630m at Nowra.
"Unfortunately he is neither a quick sprinter or a true stayer but he has won three 520m races at Wenty and is well drawn near the rails on Saturday,'' Manwaring said.
"Full Of Rust had no luck in the early stages when a fast finishing fourth at Wentworth Park last Saturday after clocking smart time winning over 515m at Bulli at his previous start.
"If he can clear Bella Can Do, who has box one, in the run to the first turn, Full Of Rust should be hard to beat this week.''
Manwaring's greyhound looks well placed in this 5th grade event as he drops a grade from last week after having finished third to Slick Simzy in a top grade Wentworth Park race on August 2.
Ebby Ripper, who posted third fastest time in the 715m Sandown Speed Star series won last Sunday by Victorian champion Burn One Down, returns to Wentworth Park in the 4/5th grade thedogs.com.au Stakes (race nine, 720m).
"She pulled up well after the visit to Sandown and had won a 715m match race to qualify for the time trial finals on Sunday,'' trainer Michael Eberand said.
"The small field of six will suit Ebby Ripper on Saturday but it will also suit Sherbini, who has box eight.
"Both Ebby Ripper and Sherbini have similar racing styles, getting back in the field early and then doing their best work at the finish.''
Ariya, who has been desperately unlucky in two Wentworth Park races, resumes in town in tonight's 5th grade Ladbrokes Info Hub Stakes (race two, 520m).
Ariya was scratched from her most recent Wentworth Park engagement due to a strained hamstring, but trainer Peter Tobin said his greyhound is going as well as ever again.
"I trialled her over 450m at Maitland last Thursday and Ariya went well, recording the fastest trial time of the day,'' Tobin said.
Ariya found trouble when second to Wild Miss Judy at her Wentworth Park debut on August 9 and was checked severely when runner-up to Simone Shimmers at the same course 10 nights later.
On Tuesday night at Gosford, Ariya proved her fitness with a good fourth to the talented King Carmody in a 515m event.
Tonight's best bet should be Another Gangsta, who is ideally boxed in one in the 5th grade Ladbrokes Odds Boost Stakes (race three, 520m).
The lightly-raced Another Gangsta has won 10 of 28 starts and is at his best when wearing the red rug, having come from the rails trap to defeat Wenty top notcher Big Chicken at Dapto on August 10.
Jeff Collerson's picks
Best Bet: Another Gangsta (Race 3)
Best Value: Full Of Rust (Race 4)
Quaddie
Race 5 - 4, 5
Race 6 - 2, 3
Race 7 - 3, 5, 6
Race 8 - 6, 8, 7
$20 for 55.55%
