A bruised toe derailed Pindari Express' Melbourne Cup campaign but the Sydney suburban star is set to return to the winner's circle after drawing favourably at Wentworth Park on Friday night.
The wide running Pindari Express, who has not previously drawn further out than box five in seven Wentworth Park outings, has box seven in the 520m Publican's Cup, where he takes on the perfectly boxed Tennessee Tiger, box eight.
Chifley-based trainer Tracey Scruse took Pindari Express to Sandown, venue for the Melbourne Cup, for a third and fourth grade event on November 5 and the dog won in brilliant fashion.
After beginning midfield from box one but running off the track and colliding at the first turn, Pindari Express swept around his rivals to win running away in a slick 29.51s for the 515m.
"On November 14 I headed off with Pindari Express for a Melbourne Cup Prelude but a bit over three hours into the trip I stopped the car to let him stretch his legs,'' Scruse said.
"He was dipping slightly as he walked and I thought that if he had a hard run he could finish up lame, so I phoned the Sandown club and scratched him.
"It transpired he had a slightly bruised toe but Pindari Express is certainly well positioned on Friday.
"Just the same, it won't be easy, because Tennessee Tiger, in box eight, is a very fast dog.
"I watched him lead all the way from the outside draw in September and he clocked 29.58 with a fast 5.40 irst split.''
But Pindari Express' personal best Wentworth Park figures are a blistering 29.41 and while the race promises to be the highlight of the meeting, Scruse's greyhound should prevail.
Friday's card features four heats of GRNSW's regular maiden series events with the first, the Lurkers Punters Club Maiden, shaping up as a match between the Carole Eaton-trained Jilliby Zara and With Confidence, from country trainer Shannon Ellis' kennels.
Jilliby Zara impressed at her only public appearance, leading throughout to win a 450m performance trial at Maitland on October 24 in a handy 25.42.
With Confidence has won performance trials over 320m at Wagga and 440m at Goulburn but those hit-outs convinced Ellis that his dog needed 520m to show his true ability.
"He can certainly run but his early sections aren't too flash,'' Ellis said.
"I brought With Confidence to Wenty last Saturday night and in the trial I gave him he indicated he will be suited by the distance of Friday's race.
"I don't often come all the way to Wenty to race but did win the first two events on the card back in July, 2014, with Crazy Cosmos and Booming Bennett.''
By far the strongest of the maidens is heat four, the Harold Park Hotel Maiden, where Fantastic Gigi (box seven), What A Debacle (one), Cawbourne Boomer (two), Zipping Blondie (three) and Showtime Jack (five) have excellent credentials.
The draw favours Fantastic Gigi, who used a bit of the track in winning performance trials in smart times at over 520m at Dapto and 472m at Bulli recently, and What A Debacle, a certainty beaten when second over 400m at Bullli on November 16.
Most regally bred of Friday's debutants is Ritza Donald, who looks well positioned in box seven in heat three, the Friend In Hand Hotel Maiden.
Trained by the in-form Jodie Lord, Ritza Donald was sired by Ritza Lenny, who won 30 races and $234,000, and produced by Ritza Hattie, who earned $240,290 from 19 victories.
Most open heat appears to be the second, the Town Tavern Blacktown Maiden, where Loui Wonton looms as great each-way value.
Trained by John Smart, who prepares the top notch stayer Kanzan, Loui Wonton overcame a slow start to finish a close second over 520m at Dapto on November 21.
Loui Wonton has been placed in three of five provincial outings but has continued to improve, with his best performances his two most recent efforts.
Loui Wonton is a son of Lovelace, who was also trained by John Smart and who won four Wentworth Park 720m races in 2016.
Best Bet Pindari Express (race 9)
Best Value Loui Wonton (race 2)
Quaddie race 5 - 7, 1
Race 6 - 1, 2, 7
Race 7 - 2, 1, 7
Race 8 - 5, 3, 2
$20 for 37.03%
