Tenacity Does It For Donna

By Jeff Collerson
Ritza Donna, who scored an upset win in the group 1 Dapto Megastar in December when a $9.50 outsider, played another giant-killing role to take out Saturday night's Wentworth Park Free-For-All.

After being sixth at the first turn, Ritza Donna, a $14 chance, railed into third position behind Ties That Bind and Wow on the back straight before powering home along the rails to win over the 520m in 29.82.

Trainer Mark Gatt said later: "I have not had a more tenacious little chaser than Ritza Donna and if there is half a gap on the rails she will drive through and take it.''

Ritza Donna's figures were equalled in the final event by the under-rated Steve Burgis-trained Suzie's Face, who reeled off brilliant early splits of 5.39 and 13.90 to lead throughout and comfortably hold off a late charge by Ziggy Star.


Training honours for the night were with Tom Rees, who won a 720m event with Paris And Rome in a handy 42.60 and All Nose, who staged another come from behind performance to win a 520m fifth grade in 30.11.

All Nose has now scored four wins and a second from his past five WP starts, on each occasion coming from the back of the field approaching the first turn to storm home and land each race by less than a length.

On Saturday All Nose again displayed uncanny track sense to dodge trouble at the first turn, emerging from fifth at that point to be second on the back straight.


Warm favourite Blue Carat gave her supporters a fright near the finish of Saturday night's second event, when she set up a big early lead but slowed down sharply near the finish and scraped in by only a half length.

After the race trainer Dave Irwin said: "She badly injured a wrist and following the race couldn't put her foot to the ground, she was unable to walk on it.''

Four Five, who has never been a "boom" greyhound, lifted his earnings to a remarkable $86,000 for trainer Alan Proctor with a comfortable win in a 520m fourth and fifth grade.

Four Five was last in the early stages but found a rails run in a first turn scrimmage to lead on the back straight before clocking 30.13.

The dog has now had 68 Wentworth Park starts for eight wins and 33 placings and Proctor said later: "Four Five doesn't have much early pace but is a terrific railer and is a strong finisher.

"If a greyhound is a good railer and has strength there is always a chance at Wenty Park that he will find a run along the fence going through the first corner.

"Four Five did that tonight and a bonus is that he is an extremely sound dog, he seldom gets sore.''

Outback Ugg gave Newcastle trainer Henry Norman his first Wentworth Park winner since Gunnadoo Ace in June, 2007, when she led all the way in Saturday's opening event, a 520m fifth grade.

Norman, who trains Outback Ugg for Dana Burns, the partner of successful Hunter Valley trainer Allan Ivers, said later he had $50 each-way on the greyhound at $26.

"In her only two Wenty runs Outback Ugg had got smashed and lost all chance and when she drew box one tonight I gave her a hope of bouncing in front and leading all the way,'' Norman said.

"I only have three greyhounds in my kennels and because I can give them a lot of personal attention Dana and Allan felt I might get results with Outback Ugg so gave me a chance with her.''