Preview: Wentworth Park Saturday

By Jeff Collerson
Mr Peregrine was far from disgraced when fourth, less than two lengths from the winner, in a Million Dollar Chase semi-final at Wentworth Park last week and plummets down to a fifth grade from a better draw at headquarters this Saturday.

In his MDC semi, Mr Peregrine had box four and was hampered when third on the back straight before finishing just behind Both Bowers Ace, Seven Sinners and Blue Goose Boy, who had won his three previous Wentworth Park outings in fast times of 29.47, 29.61 and 29.59.

On Saturday Mr Peregrine, who boasts personal best Wentworth Park figures of 29.66, is clearly the quickest Wenty winner in the field and he should relish his box two draw.

Also down in class on Saturday night is the Garry Coles-trained Still Available, who is well positioned in box two in the fourth and fifth grade Ladbrokes Racing Club Stakes over 520m.

Still Available was a fast finishing third behind Nangar Gypsy and Canya Love Me in top grade at Wentworth Park on Sunday and none of his rivals on Saturday have matched his best Wenty time of 29.58.

Interestingly, Still Available posted his personal best figures from box two, and trainer Garry Coles said he pulled up well after Sunday's race.

"I slipped him up the straight at Dapto on Tuesday and he went like a rocket,'' Coles said.

"His run last Sunday was very good because he was following the winner, Nangar Gypsy, going down the back straight when they were both starting to make their runs.

"But while Nangar Gypsy seemed to get a clear run along the rails, my dog was impeded in the run home.

"Still Available has been breaking 30 seconds consistently at Wenty yet getting beaten at the same time so he is due for a change of luck.''

Unbeaten bush sprinter Highway Boy makes his keenly anticipated Wentworth Park debut in Saturday's Sponsor A Race at Wenty 520m fifth grade.

Highway Boy, who has won each of his three races at Goulburn and Temora, has box seven, and while he has not raced at Wentworth Park he has trialled well there.

David Pringle, who trained Shakey Jakey to smash the Wentworth Park 520m record in April, 2014, is the father of Highway Boy's trainer Bailey Pringle.

"Bailey took Highway Boy to Wenty for a 520m trial and he clocked 29.87,'' David Pringle said.

"I'm not sure how fast the track was or how the dog will handle box seven on Saturday, but Bailey was pretty happy with the trial.

"Highway Boy had not raced beyond 457m but in that trial he showed he was going to be strong enough at the finish on Saturday night.''

On Report has won just one of six Wentworth Park starts but trainer Jason Magri believes the dog only needs to begin smartly to win Saturday night's The Lids Fly On Ladbrokes Live, a 520m fifth grade.

"This is a race he can win so long as he jumps as well as I know he can,'' Magri said.

"His last start fourth to LADY WILSON wasn't a bad run because the winner absolutely flew, running 29.25.

"On Report wanted to duck in at the start in that race last week and I think he could get a cart across to the rails from the boxes to the first turn this week.''

Best Bet Mr Peregrine (race 3)
Best Value Still Available (race 7)

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