Laurie's Flyer, one of the most talented short course speedsters in NSW, is poised to make a winning return to Wentworth Park tonight and lift his strike rate to 20 wins from 33 starts.
The Johnny Miles-trained dog has box four in the 280m Ladbrokes Cash In Free-For-All, and will relish having a vacant box on his right.
At his only Wentworth Park 280m outing on February 26, Laurie's Flyer, usually a smart beginner, bungled the jump but went so fast he took the lead at the half-way mark.
His subsequent form has been hard to fault and at his most recent race, over 272m at LADBROKES GARDENS on November 27, Laurie's Flyer came out running from box three and led throughout in 15.18.
That time was a mere .05sec outside the course record he had established on September 11.
Laurie's Flyer will be at prohibitive odds but punters can find good value in Nangar Freedom, who was sent out a $2.70 favourite when runner-up at his Wentworth Park debut last Wednesday.
The DAVE Irwin-trained dog went into that race after winning eight of 20 good class provincial races but at Wentworth Park he stumbled at box rise and lost all chance.
After rallying well to be third entering the back straight, Nangar Freedom was beaten just over five lengths by Lanmore Babe in a slick 30.06.
Nangar Freedom had box two last week but is far better placed in six tonight as he is a wide runner who relishes an outside draw.
Nangar Freedom has won four of his six races from boxes seven and eight and should only need to begin cleanly to lead throughout.
Ritza Rain, who clocked a fast 22.46 to win over 400m at Bulli on September 15, resumes and makes his first Wentworth Park appearance in tonight's Happy 50th Paul Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
Ritza Rain is from an outstanding litter which includes Ritza Tommy, a winner of three from six Wentworth Park starts.
Victor Ellul, Ritza Rain's trainer, said: "This bitch has been flying in trials up the straight and she knows her way around Wenty Park.
"In her first look at Wentworth Park she recorded a nippy 24.40 in a post-to-post slip, then she had a box-to-box before trialling from the 520m starting point.
"This is a pretty strong fifth grade because I have a high opinion of Ritza Rain's rivals, especially my mate George Borg's bitch Jackpot Josie.
"But Jackpot Josie has drawn four so I'm pleased Ritza Rain has box one because she really loves the rails.''
Trainer Ricky Brewer admits 520m is "as far as Fernando Alonso wants to go'' but he gives his dog a strong chance in tonight's Ladbrokes Switch fifth grade over that trip.
Fernando Alonso was disputing the first turn lead in a similar race at Wentworth Park last Wednesday but was inconvenienced when the co-pacemaker ran off the track.
"Fernando Alonso has been luckless in each of his Wentworth Park runs and if he comes out well and gets a clear run to the first corner I reckon he can clock 30.00 or 30.10 for the 520m, although he will be getting tired at the finish,'' trainer Brewer said.
"He has won over 520m at Bathurst and I am planning on nominating him for Monday's heats of the Soldier's Saddle at that track.''
Defining Moment has not raced in four months but should only need to repeat her Wentworth Park placings on July 22 and August 1 to take out tonight's GBOTA Welcome Maiden.
The Kerry Drynan-trained bitch set a scorching pace when third to Nangar Ridge before recording smart early splits of 5.48 and 13.95 before being run down by powerful finisher Romantic Storm 10 days later.
She has box four tonight but being drawn away from the rails should suit her as Defining Moment raced in the centre of the track in her two Wentworth Park placings.
