Some owners wait a lifetime to win a race at Wentworth Park but Sydney chef Ahmad Istanbouli has hit the ground running with his first greyhound Akii Princess taking out Saturday night's $8000 to the winner Ladbrokes Bitches Final at Wentworth Park.
The George Borg-trained bitch had led throughout to win her heat in 30.22 on January 18 and put in a repeat performance to win the final in 30.21.
"I got to know Ahmad when I was working in the grading department of the old Greyhound Racing Authority and would sometimes have lunch at Bankstown Sports Club where he was head chef at its La Piazza Restaurant,'' Borg explained.
"He became intrigued about greyhound racing and I bought Akii Princess on his behalf when she was a puppy.''
Akii Princess' win on Saturday came less than two hours after her litter sister Sweet City Gal had led all the way in a fifth grade for trainer Craig Chappelow and owner Ray Holt.
Stagger Out Lee's second placing in last Thursday night's Garrard's Gold Cup heat at Albion Park means the greyhound will not contest Saturday night's 842m Ladbrokes Marathon at Gosford.
Stagger Out Lee, renowned for her powerful finishing bursts at the end of 720m Wentworth Park races, was early favourite for the central coast event.
Her trainer Jack Strutt said: "If she had not qualified for the Albion Park final I would have taken her to Gosford but because the Brisbane race is on Thursday night and the Marathon just 48 hours later, the two day turn around makes it not feasible.''
Trainer Jodie Lord said NSW's top stayer Cawbourne Magic would not be going to Gosford while Mcentire, another greyhound who looked ideally suited to the long 842m journey, also won't be starting.
Donna Campbell, whose son Grante Andersen trains Mcentire, said: "She tore the pads off her feet when she raced at Richmond on January 9 so unfortunately she has to miss the Marathon..''
Belle Intention, who has won over 720m at WP in a moderate 42.80, is a possible starter.
Trainer Andrew Bell said: "I've got no doubt Belle Intention will see out a solid 842m because while she may not be capable of posting fast time, she will run it right out because she can go all day.''
Brilliant short courser Boaz made a stunning return to racing after a four months' spell with a near record win at Dapto on Thursday.
The Ricky Brewer-trained flyer was soon in front from box eight in a 297m event and won easily in 16.80, just .14sec outside Typhoon Tim's track record, set on May 27, 2021.
The remarkably consistent Boaz thus maintained his better than 50 per cent winning strike rate tally as the Dapto victory took his record to 16 wins and nine placings from 29 races.
"He has just turned four so is eligible for Masters races now,'' trainer Ricky Brewer said.
"It's hard to find Masters events up to 400m but when Boaz gets in one he will give them some swish.
"He has not won beyond 400m but has always been a serious dog, he used to trial 22.20 over that distance on the old Richmond track.''
