TAB Million Dollar Chase and Dapto Megastar winner Good Odds Harada came through his final trial with flying colours in the lead up to Saturday night's much anticipated Wentworth Park clash with Feral Franky.
"I trialled Good Odds Harada up the straight at Appin on Tuesday and he went as well as he has ever gone,'' trainer Frank Hurst said.
Good Odds Harada has box one in Saturday night's Christmas Gift where he is opposed to Jimmy Casey in box three, Feral Franky (five) and Embye (seven).
Good Odds Harada has won three of his five appearances from box one and in such a strong field Hurst is naturally pleased to have the inside draw.
Feral Franky's trainer Jack Smith is not unduly concerned at his dog's defeat by Dual Keroma at Wentworth Park last Saturday night but did concede he was slightly disappointed with his champion's run.
"Yeah for mine Feral Franky was a little disappointing,'' Smith said.
"When he settled in third place behind Dual Keroma and Poacher it took him too long to get past Poacher.
"Franky didn't seem to know what to do and by the time he got clear Dual Keroma was off and gone.
"Just the same Dual Keroma is flying at the moment but the way they are boxed on Saturday, it looks as if Good Odds Harada will be in front of us early so Feral Franky is going to have to catch him.''
Saturday night's other Group 3 event is the 720m Christmas Cheer, where John Finn's pair Veloce Nero (box one) and Blue Moon Rising (seven) take on up and coming stayer China O'Brien (three) and Newcastle Cup winner Just Terms, who has box five.
Just Terms is sure to be favourite as she gave Blue Moon Rising a start and a beating in the 715m Newcastle Cup final on December 13.
Blue Moon Rising appeared to have every chance but failed by just under a length to hold out Just Terms' powerful home straight burst.
But on times at Wentworth Park, Blue Moon Rising has the edge, as his personal best 720m figures are 41.65 while Just Terms has not bettered 42.22.
The small field of four however looks made to order for the JODIE Lord-trained Just Terms, who does not possess as much early dash as Blue Moon Rising.
Feral Franky's kennelmate and litter sister Solar Sky looks set to score her second Wentworth Park win in 17 starts at the track after drawing ideally in Saturday's opening race, the Good Luck Sydney Sixers Stakes, 520m.
Solar Sky bungled the start but finished strongly when second, beaten a length, by Regal Twist at Wentworth Park last Saturday and moves from box five in that race to box one on Saturday.
"I thought last week's run was easily Solar Sky's best performance at Wenty,'' trainer Jack Smith said.
"She loves Bathurst but has never gone as well at Wentworth Park until last Saturday night.
"Solar Sky missed the kick last week but is usually a reliable beginner so if she reverts to her normal box manners she should be hard to beat.
"The syndicate which owns Solar Sky is looking forward to breeding from her because being a litter sister to both Feral Franky and Good Odds Harada, she is a really valuable brood bitch.''
Zipping Veyron is chasing her fifth successive win in Saturday night's Congratulations Sue & Barto Stakes but trainer Jason MACKAY has warned his greyhound needs to lead clearly to win.
"She looks ideally drawn in box eight and her big asset is her good early pace,'' MACKAY said.
"But Zipping Veyron is not strong at the end of 520m so she will need to get away with a decent break if she is going to win.''
Best Bet Solar Sky (race 1)
Best Value Royal Emgrand (race 9)
Quaddie race 5 - 5, 8, 7
Race 6 - 5, 7
Race 7 - 1, 5, 4
Race 8 - 1, 5
$20 for 55.55%
