Perfect Draw For A Big Night

By Jeff Collerson
Night Tracker has had two wins and three placings from nine Wentworth Park appearances but has not been drawn so suitably as he is at headquarters on Saturday night.

The Syd Swain-trained dog has box two in the 520m Ladbrokes Switch Stakes, marking the first time he has been closer to the fence than box three.

Interestingly Night Tracker has worn the white vest just once and that was when he won a 520m Maiden Final at Wentworth Park in September, clocking a nippy 30.11s.

Night Tracker had box eight at his most recent start when he overcame a slow start to win over 535m at Richmond on October 23.

"I was pleased with his Richmond run because he didn't get on the track until he reached the fence at the top of the straight,'' Syd Swain said.

"He is power-laden at the finish but lacks early zip and that caused him to get dragged down at the first turn when he finished third at Wentworth Park on October 17.

"That was a terrific run because Night Tracker was giving the leader a dozen length coming to the home turn and was beaten just under three lengths.

"While Night Tracker's best Wenty figures are 30.11 he has got under 30s in a 520m trial there so he has the ability to put time on the clock.''


Chrissie Banner returns to Wentworth Park in Saturday's Where Else But Wenty Stakes for the first time since being beaten a neck when favourite in the Young Star Classic on October 16.

Before that race Chrissie Banner had won four of her seven Wentworth Park races but in the Classic she led early before being headed at the first turn by the speedster Rapallo.

Rapallo got away with a clear lead in the middle stages before Chrissie Banner rallied late and went down in a tight finish.

Chrissie Banner was a long odds-on favourite at LADBROKES GARDENS last week but lost all chance when skittled by a wide runner at the first turn.

"I was happy with her run at The Gardens because she was last in a field of six on the back straight and showed a lot of character to get up and run third,'' trainer Barry Gibbons said.

"She has box four on Saturday night and I prefer seeing her a couple of boxes off the rails because Chrissie Banner likes to be in the middle of the track.''

Gibbons though is in awe of rival, the Peter Sims-trained Second Exit, who scored a sensational win over 600m at LADBROKES GARDENS last week and who is ideally positioned in box eight.

"There was a massive burst of rain just before Second Exit's race last week but she not only beat my good bitch Lilly Banner by nearly 10 lengths, but she clocked a smart 34.53 in the process,'' Gibbons said.

"After watching that I believe Chrissie Banner will need to pinch a big early break because if Second Exit is hunting our bitch on the back straight she will probably be too strong.''


Trainer Jodie Lord's kennelmates Ritza Donald and Winlock On Top will reprise their thrilling battle from last week's Wentworth Park Free-For-All when they clash again in Saturday's Happy Halloween Stakes.

Last week Ritza Donald jumped in front from box five but was quickly tackled by Winlock On Top, who had missed the jump from box two, and they controlled first and second placings throughout the race.

At the finish Ritza Donald prevailed by a head in a fast 29.86, not far outside the best times he and Winlock On Top have recorded at Wentworth Park.

On Saturday Ritza Donald has the advantage of box one but Winlock On Top, who has box eight, can handle a wide draw and could reverse last week's placings if he begins cleanly.

Ritza Donald has won four of his five starts from the rails alley while Winlock On Top's record from box eight is two wins from four outings.

Best Bet Flying Ricciardo (race 7)

Best Value Night Tracker (race 2)

Quaddie race 5 - 8, 1

Race 6 - 8, 6, 4

Race 7 - 6, 8, 5

Race 8 - 6, 1, 3

$20 for 37.03%