Orchestrate is widely regarded as the best greyhound in Queensland and trainer Tony Brett expects Wentworth Park fans to see the son of Barcia Bale at his best in Saturday night's third TAB Million Dollar Chase city qualifier.
Orchestrate has won 22 of 42 starts and while he has box five and has not raced at Wentworth Park, Brett, Queensland's top trainer for the past decade, thinks he can lead all the way.
"He has had two looks at Wenty, a post to post slip and a box to box trial and he went extra well, I was really pleased with how he went,'' Brett said.
"Orchestrate handled the track perfectly and he looks the type of dog who will be suited to a course like Wentworth Park.''
Brett's straight track flyer Milligan was runner-up to Darren Sultana's Mr America in the National Straight Track Championship at Richmond on August 27 and he will make his first Wentworth Park appearance in the first TAB Million Dollar Chase qualifier.
"Like Orchestrate, Milligan has had a couple of runs around Wenty, in a post to post slip and in a box to box trial and he also went nicely and handled the track fine,'' Brett said.
"But Milligan also has box five and while he is a fast dog, he lacks early pace, he hasn't got the zip from the boxes like Orchestrate.''
Milligan's toughest opponent looks to be Devine Empress, trained in Victoria by Kayla Cottrell and the winner of 15 of her 20 starts.
Devine Empress is unbeaten in two Wentworth Park races, the latest on April 9 when she defeated Yuko Girl in the New Sensation final, giving that talented sprinter a start and a beating in stopping the clock at a slick 29.70.
Devine Empress has since had only three starts, winning each with the latest a fast 29.45 romp over 515m at Sandown on July 17.
Although she will be resuming from a let-up on Saturday, Devine Empress is going "as well as ever" according to trainer Cottrell's father, leading Victorian trainer Dave Knocker.
"There was a race for bitches programmed at The Meadows on Saturday night which would have been easier for Devine Empress but Kayla preferred taking her to Sydney,'' Knocker said.
"She reasoned that Devine Empress turns three in December and this might be her only chance to have a crack at the Million Dollar Chase.
"Devine Empress is usually fast out of the starting boxes and she is partial to Wenty.
"We just don't want Zippy Tesla sitting behind her on the back straight because that dog is very strong at the finish and is racing exceptionally well at present.''
Zippy Tesla, from the all-conquering Andrea Dailly kennel in Victoria, is yet to win in six Wentworth Park appearances, where he has been runner-up on four occasions.
South Australian-owned speedster He's On Fire will be chasing his 21st win in 42 starts when he exits box two in Saturday's fourth TAB Million Dollar Chase qualifier.
Now with Nowra trainer Allan Manwaring, He's On FireChased home Mr America and Milligan in the National Straight Championship at Richmond on August 27 and has since had two trials at Wentworth Park.
"I gave him a couple of box to box hit-outs and was very happy with how he went,'' Manwaring said.
"He's On Fire handled the track beautifully but I'm not sure how strong he will be at the end of 520m.''
Victorian trainer Brooke Ennis won Wentworth Park’s 2014 Golden Easter Egg with Tonk and has a pair of strong Million Dollar Chase candidates in Extreme Force, who has box four in the second city qualifier, and Amron Boy, who has drawn eight in the fifth qualifier.
Ennis trialled them at Wentworth Park on August 13 with Extreme Force covering the 520m in 29.76 after posting splits of 5.46, 13.90 and 17.98.
Amron Boy went even faster, reeling off splits of 5.52, 13.79 and 17.87 before stopping the clock at 29.56.
But Ennis' pair have drawn awkwardly on Saturday, with Extreme Force in the middle and Amron Boy, a good railer, in the outside box.
