Robinson Hopeful For Victorious Return To Wenty

By Jeff Collerson
Trevor Robinson has not had a runner at Wentworth Park since Hartley Kris three years ago but he landed 21 wins and 22 placings with that giveaway greyhound and returns on Wednesday night with Zoe's Charm, who has won her past three starts at Lithgow and Richmond.

Zoe's Charm has box six in race six, a 520m fifth grade, and Robinson considers her reasonably well boxed.

"She uses a bit of the track and will run straight from the boxes to the first turn,'' Robinson said.

"When Zoe's Charm beat Wentworth Park winner Loves A Tipple at Richmond in 30.35 from box eight on January 30 it was pouring rain so her time was good.

"Zoe's Charm has not raced at Wentworth Park but has had three trials there and at her most recent 520m hit-out she clocked 30.20.

"But she is going better now than when she ran that time and when I trialled her over 506m at Lithgow last Friday she clocked 29.31.

"The track record is 29.06 so I was happy with that run, especially as her first split was 5.70 which is absolutely flying.

"Zipping Osti, who has box eight, has clocked 29.90 at Wenty so looks hard to beat but maybe he is better suited from an inside box.''

Zoe's Charm's rivals include the impeccably-bred Seymour Thunder, who has won his past three starts at Gosford and will exit box seven.

Seymour Thunder's dam Sillat is a half sister to 2018 Million Dollar Chase winner Mystic Riot and to 2018 National Futurity and Richmond Oaks winner Blue Sky Riot.

Seymour Thunder has not raced at Wentworth Park but trainer Frank Anderson has trialled him there and was most disappointed with the dog's performance last week.

"He only recorded 30.75 so can't win on that time,'' Anderson said.

"Seymour Thunder doesn't seem to have taken a liking yet to Wenty Park so I'm just hoping he will improve.''

Jimmy Bale made an impressive Wentworth Park debut when second to Nangar Rocket in 30.10 last Wednesday night and trainer Simon Rhodes gives the dog a chance in this week's fifth event, a 520m fifth grade.


"Jimmy Bale is a very fast dog and with a clear run I think he is capable of getting down to 29.80 or 29.90 at Wenty,'' Rhodes said.

"His chances depend on what happens at box rise, he will either come out last or jump with them and if he does that he should be hard to beat.

"He is a mad railer but when he draws inside he usually misses the kick so box box seven might be okay.

"Jimmy Bale looked a winning chance in the straight at Wentworth Park last Wednesday but found Nangar Rocket, a powerful finisher, too strong over the last bit.


"But on January 12 Jimmy Bale gave Elle Yeah seven lengths start and got up to beat her in a 520m race at Dapto, and Elle Yeah came out and won at Wenty last Wednesday.''

Coppola Bale, runner-up at each of his past three starts at Melbourne's The Meadows, makes his first appearance since joining Simon Rhodes' kennels in race four, a 520m fifth grade.

"He is very slow early but is so strong at the finish I think he will eventually run 720m,'' Rhodes said.

"But Coppola Bale is going into this race 'cold' as he has not trialled at Wentworth Park.''

Best Bet on Wednesday should be Zipping Orlando, who has box five but will be suited by the small field of six in the 520m Free-For-All.

Zipping Orlando led early but went amiss when seventh at Wentworth Park on January 13 but had won seven of his previous 10 starts at headquarters and has posted 29.53.

The 520m at Wentworth Park is as far as she likes to go but Foran Banner's dazzling early pace could allow her to "steal" Wednesday night's second race, a 520m fifth grade.

Foran Banner Chased Came And Went to the end of the back straight when a tiring fourth at her Wentworth Park 520m debut on December 30 but she clocked a flying 22.27 winning over 400m at Bulli on January 31 and could be first out and first home on Wednesday.

Best Bet Zipping Orlando (race 8)
Best Value Foran Banner (race 2)

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