Smart Fernando will be contesting his third race in a week at Wentworth Park on Saturday night but trainer Greg Sutherland is confident his dog will respond by taking out the Happy Chinese New Year Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
Smart Fernando finished fourth at WP last Saturday before getting under 30sec for the first time with a runaway win in a brilliant 29.88 on Wednesday.
"He never has any trouble backing up, he actually thrives on it,'' Sutherland said.
"Smart Fernando goes really well from outside boxes and he drew eight on Wednesday when he was second around the first turn.
"But Saturday's draw looks good because while he has box four he has only five rivals and there is an empty box on his left.
"And Saturday's race looks a lot easier than Wednesday's event which was a particularly strong field.''
Fernando Hunter's box manners have been frustrating trainer Darryl Thomas but despite the dog's slow starting trait he is expected to win on Saturday night.
Fernando Hunter has box two in race eight, a 520m fourth and fifth grade, and Thomas is confident the dog can score his fourth WP win in eight appearances.
"He has a good draw and the small field certainly suits him, he should just about win,'' Thomas said.
Sally's Reward was super impressive winning in a fast 29.92 from box eight at WP on Australia Day and could go even better in Saturday's Congratulations Ash Barty Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
Before her January 26 success, Sally's Reward's trainer Vince Spiteri said: "She has not raced or trialled at Wentworth Park but she is well drawn out wide.''
Sally's Reward showed great tenacity to sweep around her rivals to lead entering the back straight and became one of the few greyhounds to break 30sec at their first WP outing.
Sally's Reward is well positioned in box seven on Saturday, with her only possible hang-up the presence of Amarillo, a fast beginner, in box eight.
What About That looked strange to the track when second at his WP debut on Wednesday night and the JODIE Lord-trained youngster should go one better on Saturday.
What About That had box six on Wednesday when he chased home Cawbourne Helm in a slick 30.04 and has the same draw on Saturday.
Before Wednesday's race What About That had gone nicely in a post-to-post hand-slip but with a race from the starting boxes under his belt and the additional WP experience he should win on Saturday.
Osprey Phantom, who has won seven races in Victoria for crack trainer Jeff Britton, looks set to open his Sydney account for new trainer Christine Proctor in Saturday's final event, a 520m fifth grade.
Proctor's husband Alan said: "This does look a winnable race because while he can run Osprey Phantom is an awkward type so the small field will help him.
"He certainly gets his chance after drawing box one.''
Osprey Phantom has won four of his races while wearing the red rug.
