Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder (G1)

Ideal Draw For Amron Boy

By Jeff Collerson
Melbourne trainer Jamie Ennis has declared Amron Boy, wife Brooke's runner in the Ladbrokes Paws Of Thunder heats at Wentworth Park on Saturday night, as fast as their former champion My Bro Fabio and their 2014 Golden Easter Egg winner Tonk.

Jamie Ennis said: "There is no doubt that Amron Boy is as quick if not faster than any dog we've ever had.''

Widely considered the fastest greyhound in Australia, Amron Boy returns to Sydney chasing his first Wentworth Park win from an ideal box one draw in heat one of the Group 1 Paws Of Thunder.

Amron Boy has won 15 of 34 races despite his tendency to miss the start, but clocked a blistering 29sec winning from box one at his most recent outing over 515m at Sandown on January 5.

And before that Amron Boy had won there in 29.07 and 29.10, all times comparing well with Aston Rupee's track record of 28.79.

At his sole Wentworth Park outing Amron Boy drew box eight in a Million Dollar Chase qualifier and finished strongly after dwelling at box rise and colliding approaching the home bend.

"Before he raced at Wentworth Park in September Amron Boy trialled 29.60 there but he is a much better greyhound now,'' said Jamie Ennis.

"Brooke and I don't always go to race meetings together but we will probably both come to Sydney on Saturday because Amron Boy is such a special dog.

"There is not much point in having greyhounds if you don't share the thrill of watching a greyhound as good as Amron Boy in action.''

Amron Boy has won six of his seven races from box one so it's no wonder the Ennis family is thrilled at the prospect of seeing their superstar wearing the red rug on Saturday night.

Best clash of the night comes in heat five where local champion, the dazzling front-runner She's A Pearl (box two) takes on the powerful finisher ZIPPING Alabama (box five).

LADBROKES GARDENS track record holder French Martini will be back at Wentworth Park for the first time since September when she steps out in heat three of the Paws Of Thunder.

But French Martini, who has drawn close to perfectly in box two, showed she has lost none of her liking for Wentworth Park with a fast trial there last week.

Trainer Peter Lagogiane said: "Her fastest post-to-post hand-slip times at Wenty have been around 23.70 and 23.80 but on a slow track she clocked 23.98.

"The track had been turned over and everyone was saying the surface was slow so French Martini is going as well as ever.''

Saturday's Wentworth Park meeting also features two heats of the Summer Distance Plate, with Cawbourne Magic likely to be a long odds-on favourite to notch his 11th win from his past dozen starts in heat one.

Cawbourne Magic, who has won five of his seven races from box eight, will wear the pink rug with kennelmate Bandit Jane (box five) making her 720m debut and promising Victorian long-distance performer First Picked in box one.

First Picked is trained by Tim Britton, son of legendary Victorian trainer of stayers Robert Britton.

Robert Britton said: "First Picked has been really good to us and has been most consistent, but she is no star.

"She is a handy stayer and she needs box one so the draw gives her a chance.''

Best value bet on Saturday night should be Stagger Out Lee, well positioned near the fence in box two and suited by the small field of six in heat two of the Plate.

Among Stagger Out Lee's rivals is up-and-coming young stayer ZIPPING Neutron, who clocked a slick 42.09 winning over 720m at Wentworth Park on December 17.

ZIPPING Neutron has box seven and trainer Michael Hardman said: "I would have preferred him in box one but he can handle wide draws because he likes to go around his rivals.''

Best Bet Amron Boy (Race 5)
Best Value Stagger Out Lee (Race 4)

Quaddie 
Race 5 - 1, 3, 2
Race 6 - 7, 4, 6
Race 7 - 2, 3
Race 8 - 8, 4, 2

$20 for 37.03%