Sombrero Even Better In Red

By Jeff Collerson
Sombrero clocked second fastest heat time from box eight but trainer Neville Brown believes the dog can go even better from his rails draw in Saturday night's Wentworth Park feature race, the 520m Ladbrokes Easy Form Final.

In last Saturday's heat Sombrero was fourth to the back straight but worked his way across to the inside and after being third approaching the home turn, pounced on the lead at the top of the straight.

He roared away to win by three lengths in 30.12, with the Michael Hardman-trained Sandstorm Rico setting the time standard with a 30.03 heat win from box three.

But while Sandstorm Rico has drawn awkwardly in box seven in the final, Sombrero's trainer Neville Brown said: "I'm relieved to see my dog has finally come up with a good box.

"His best WP time is 30.12 but all his runs there lately have been from bad draws so I'm hoping he can go a bit quicker on Saturday.

"Sombrero certainly seems to have a great draw as Tracey and Frank Hurst's bitch Mia She's Fast has box two and she tends to run to the right in the early stages.

"Sombrero pulled up a bit flat after his heat win last Saturday and because I had given him three hard runs close together I gave him the week off to freshen him up for this week's final.''

Nangar Archie, who has been placed in three of his five WP races, gets his chance for a well deserved city win when he exits box three in Saturday's winningedgeinvestments.com Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.

Nangar Archie recorded a flying 29.88 when finishing third to Red Hot Frankie at WP on October 29 and showed good early pace when fourth to group one Vic Peters Classic runner-up Canya Wilder there last Saturday.

Trainer Caitlyn Brewer said: "Nangar Archie is a very honest dog but has kept bumping into top notchers at Wentworth Park.

"I'm pleased to see him in box three on Saturday because he is always better off when drawn near the fence.

"He is feeling good and is ready to go.''

Cumbria Dreaming made the pace when run down and beaten a neck by Jabeni in a Masters race at WP last Saturday but is drawn to turn the tables in Saturday's Participant Support Program Masters Stakes, 520m.

Last week Cumbria Dreaming had box five while Jabeni, a $1.75 favourite, exited box four.

Jabeni was third on the back straight but flashed along the rails to edge out Cumbria Dreaming by a neck.

Cumbria Dreaming's trainer Steve Fitch said: "My dog is well positioned in box two and has the pace to be the early leader, as long as he begins cleanly.

"But Jabeni is going so well I reckon my dog will need to be six lengths ahead of him at the half way mark if he is going to hold him off.''

Fitch also has Cumbria Dreaming's litter brother Cumbria Lad in Saturday night's race and said: "He is just about as fast as his brother.

"Late last year I sent Cumbria Lad to campaign in NEW ZEALAND where he won 23 races and earned $100,000 in prizemoney.

"I brought him back to Australia to contest the Masters Meteor series but he broke down and has had just three races since resuming, for two placings at WP and another at Dapto.''

Saturday night's best bet should be the Mark Forner-trained Jackpot Ethics, who has drawn box one in the GDD Charity Challenge, a 520m fifth grade.

Jackpot Ethics has been placed in just one of six WP starts but has had to cope with a succession of unsuitable wide and middle box draws.

He desperately needs an inside alley and that's exaclty what Jackpot Ethics has come up with on Saturday.

Best Bet Jackpot Ethics (race 4)

Best Value Nangar Archie (race 3)

Quaddie 
Race 5 - 2, 6, 7
Race 6 - 1, 8, 2
Race 7 - 2, 3, 6
Race 8 - 1, 2
$20 for 37.03%