What an outstanding night of greyhound racing awaits us tonight at Wentworth Park with the finals of three Group 1’s and a Group 2 all being conducted on the same program. The quality of all four finals is exceptional, making the task of finding the winners somewhat difficult. Can the queen of Wentworth Park, She’s A Pearl, take out another Group 1 by winning the Paws Of Thunder (520m)? Can her kennel mate, Cawbourne Magic, make it win number twelve from his last thirteen ustarts by taking out the Summer Distance Plate (720m)? Will the National Derby (520m) trophy be won for the first time by a South Australian trained greyhound should Victa Damian salute? Can Baby Jaycee provide veteran Victorian trainer Bob Douglas with another Group 1 at Wentworth Park, his first since Carlisle Jack won the Golden Easter Egg 21 years ago? These are some of the questions that will be answered later tonight at Wentworth Park.
A track record performance by a greyhound who was having his first race start in almost five months was the highlight in the heats of the Group 2 Traralgon Cup last night. Mr Audacious, a greyhound trained locally by Rachael Busuttil, resumed from a spell, to record his fourteenth win from just seventeen starts in taking out the second heat of the cup in a flying 24.43. This time broke the record set just seven days earlier, and made him a dual track record holder, having broken the Shepparton 450 metre record last year, coincidently also in a heat of their cup. Unbeaten in nine starts at the track, Mr Audacious looks the logical favourite in next Friday nights final.
Wentworth Park Race 5 No 8 Cawbourne Magic $1.70 at PlayUp – Very seasoned stayer and proven Group 1 performer who is drawn perfectly. Racing in outstanding form at present and only needs to avoid serious trouble in the run to salute. Main danger appears to be Ritza Piper (1) who should find the early lead. Selections: 8-1-2-3.
Wentworth Park Race 6 No 1 Mortified $2.10 at PlayUp – Loves racing at this venue where she has won six of her ten starts, and loves an inside draw having never finished out of the money from box one. Very good speed and should hold the lead early and race away to record an all the way victory and her first group win. Selections: 1-3-8-6.
Wentworth Park Race 7 No 1 Gozo King $7.50 at PlayUp – The most open of the four group finals. We believe Starlight Express (6) will lead but he is suspect late in the race, leaving it for a swooper to get the cash. We think Gozo King can get a nice run into the race from his ideal draw, and at the odds, looks a great each way chance. Selections: 1-4-6-5.
Wentworth Park Race 8 No 8 She’s A Pearl $3.30 at PlayUp – Her record at this venue is outstanding, winning nineteen times in her twenty four attempts. Her record from box eight is perfect, five starts for five victories. She is the queen of Wenty. We are expecting her to lead and win. The odds on offer are amazing, the longest price she has been at this track since November 2021. Selections: 8-3-5-1.
The Meadows Race 7 No 2 Jackpot Joan $3.70 at PlayUp – Looks to have the draw to find the early lead tonight and she does her best racing on the lure. Had not a lot of luck in her most recent starts. Very good on her night.
The Meadows Race 8 No 2 El Dorado $3.40 at PlayUp – Form has tapered off over the last month but all his runs have been in the highest grade from horror draws. Finally draws a decent box again and this field does lack some depth. Very fast greyhound when given a clear run. It does look a very winnable race for him.
