Esther's Diva had box one when she won fifth class races at Wentworth Park in July and August and looks set to complete an unusual trifecta by wearing the red rug to victory in tonight's Richmond to WP final, another grade five.
Trained by the in-form Sam Sultana, whose daughter Kristy prepares champion sprinter Flying Ricciardo, Esther's Diva clocked 30.13 for her 520m fifth grade win in July and a month later recorded a sizzling 29.81 when scoring in identical class.
She is the only greyhound in tonight's race to have broken 30s at Wentworth Park and after jumping brilliantly from box four to win her Richmond heat, Esther's Diva, who has had three wins and two placings from five races out of box one, should lead all the way.
Box one in tonight's Congratulations Flying Ricciardo Stakes will also suit ZIPPING Charity, who drew seven when she won a Wentworth Park Maiden in a slow 30.83 on October 21.
ZIPPING Charity was trapped outside the speedy Perfecto in last month's Wentworth Park win and had a bumping duel with that greyhound until near the home bend, when she surged to the lead.
Trainer Luke Adams said: "ZIPPING Charity is not as good as a couple of her siblings and is still learning, but she can go a lot quicker than she did when she won at her only start.
"She is capable of getting down to 30.20 at Wenty and with a clean getaway that could be good enough to win this race.''
Adams also has ZIPPING Charity's litter sister ZIPPING Sapporo in tonight's GBOTA Welcome Maiden and believes that greyhound has the ability to overcome her box four draw.
"She had no luck from box eight when fourth to Ritza Tommy at her only start, at Wentworth Park on October 7, and has improved quite a bit since then,'' Adams said.
Hobby trainer Stephen Fitch has enjoyed remarkable success with a litter he bred from his bitch Hill Top Belle in May, 2018, but claims none are quicker than Cumbria Dreaming, who contests tonight's Congrats Koby & Colette Stakes at Wentworth Park.
Cumbria Dreaming's siblings include Cumbria Belle, who has won 10 races and reached top grade at Wentworth Park, Group 1 Peter Mosman Opal runner-up Cumbria Ninno, and Cumbria Jim who has won eight races.
Cumbria Dreaming has won just three from 14 starts and is yet to win at headquarters but Fitch said: "He is the fastest top end speed dog in the litter.
"He has no box speed but goes fast when he hits the ground and I believe I have finally got him figured out.
"Cumbria Dreaming's win over 520m at Nowra, at his most recent start on October 24, was his best performance.
"He did not jump in front but was soon in the lead and won by nearly nine lengths in 29.76, not far outside the track record.
"The track was two or three tenths slow and on a fast surface Cumbria Dreaming might have given the 29.46 record a shake.''
Cumbria Dreaming had box five in the Nowra win and charged down the centre of the track, so should be suited from the same draw tonight.
Ruth Matic, whose daughter Danielle has Maldini in box two in tonight's Go The Blues Stakes, said: "We were hoping for one or two.
"When Maldini won at his latest start over 400m at Bulli on October 27, he clocked best time of the night and did it the hard way, coming from behind after drawing box eight.
"Under the circumstances he wasn't entitled to run such quick time and because he seems to like Wenty Park he should go well from box two.''
