Stephen Davies' Pair Set To Fire

By Jeff Collerson
Punters who backed Thrill at Wentworth Park last week lost all hope at box rise when the Stephen Davies-trained bitch was checked out of the race but they can "get square" on Wednesday night.

Thrill, who has box three in race four, a 520m fourth and fifth grade, had box four last Wednesday but was skittled as she jumped when Super Edition, who had box five, veered sharply to the left and collided with her.

Trainer Stephen Davies said: "I am pleased seeing Thrill in box three on Wednesday as she is better suited when she is in the first line of greyhounds placed in the boxes.

"Because boxes one, three, five and seven are positioned first, it gives Thrill more time to settle down so she usually gets away faster.''

Thrill

Thrill's form supports Davies' contention as she won her only race from box one and is undefeated in three starts from box seven.

Davies has Thrill's litter sister Silver Session chasing her first win in Wednesday's NSW GBOTA Welcome Maiden Stakes, 520m.

"Silver Session has had five starts and has run second every time,'' Davies said.

"But she has been beaten by some good dogs like Big Boy Wilson, Zipping Remus and Nangar Nellie.

"Silver Session is not a good beginner like her sister and is not well drawn in box seven.

"But she is strong at the finish so I'm hoping she can flop onto the fence and find a rails run going through the pen and on the back straight.''

Hardest for her to beat are likely to be Andy Lord's unraced duo Cawbourne Ivy (box five) and Carbon Coby (box eight).

Daniel Gatt has Jett Khan, a distant third at his sole Wentworth Park outing, in box one, but considers the dog would be far better suited drawn on the outside.

"He is a dead-set wide runner,'' Gatt said.

Gatt though is keen on the prospects of Refer To Trader, who has box two in race nine, a 520m fifth grade.

Refer To Trader made his debut at Wentworth Park last Wednesday and led throughout from box five to win in 30.26.

"I really like this dog, he has a real good attitude, he is very sensible and is a hard chaser,'' Gatt said.

"Although he only clocked 30.26 last week he has trialled in the low 30s at Wentworth Park and because he is improving all the time I think he can get down to 30 flat with a clear run from his good draw this week.''

Venetian Fury finished only fourth in his heat but box one and the dog's liking for Wentworth Park gives him a chance of causing an upset in the 520m Bulli To Wentworth Park Final.

Venetian Fury will be the first Wentworth Park starter for trainer Brett Davenport, whose mother Beverley formerly raced a succession of handy dogs bearing the Glencoe prefix.

"I took out a licence a couple of years ago because I guess greyhound racing is in my blood,'' Davenport said.

"Venetian Fury has been a broken down dog but I have finally got him right and not only is he well boxed, but he loves Wenty Park.''

Venetian Fury

Most enthralling clash of Wednesday's meeting comes in race six, a strong 520m fifth grade, featuring Screaming Jet (box one), Rocket Riot (two) and Zipping Vanessa (six).

The Peter Lagogiane-trained Rocket Riot made a stunning Wentworth Park debut last Friday when he led all the way in a best of the night 29.63 after reeling off scorching early splits of 5.35 and 13.73.

But he steps up in class on Wednesday with Screaming Jet set to exit box one for the first time after recording two wins and four seconds in seven Wentworth Park appearances from less suitable draws.

And Zipping Vanessa, while she lacks early pace, ran down her talented kennelmate Zipping Remus to win in 29.75 from box eight at her initial Wentworth Park outing before flashing home when second to brilliant front runner Quantifiable at headquarters last Wednesday.

Best Bet Refer To Trader (race 9)
Best Value Thrill (race 4)

Quaddie
Race 5 - 1, 7
Race 6 - 6, 1, 2
Race 7 - 4, 2, 1
Race 8 - 1, 4, 8
$20 for 37.03%