Sensational group racing continues tonight at Wentworth Park with the running of five group races, in what is certainly the biggest night for the greyhound industry in New South Wales. The highlight of the night will be the final of the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg (520m), with a cheque of $250,000 awaiting the winning connections. And what a race it promised to be. A second Group 1 heads the support program, this being for the stayers, the Association Cup (720m) final. And then there are the three Group 3 events, the final of the Magic Maiden (520m), the final of the New Sensation (520m), and a consolation for runners that failed to make the Egg final, the Paul Ambrosoli (520m). Add a further two listed events, the inaugural running of the Paul Wheeler Celebration (520m), and the final of the Ultra Sense (520m), and you can see what a super night of racing lies ahead.
What a week it has already been for the industry, as we had the running of four semi-finals of the Group 2 Launching Pad (515m) at Sandown Park on Thursday night, then the final of the Group 2 Ballarat Cup (450m) last night, certainly wetting the appetite of greyhound followers prior to tonight’s main event. Wow She’s Fast, Dusty Bourbski, Fearless Rory and Plaintiff were successful in the four Launching Pad semi-finals, all were super impressive, the result being we now have a very open final scheduled to be run next Thursday night at Sandown Park. The Karen Pitt trained Compliance, speared the lids from his awkward box 6 draw last night in the final of the Ballarat Cup, setting up a four length break on his rivals in the opening fifty metres, before extending that lead to almost six lengths upon reaching the winning post. This was his first success at group level, having narrowly missed previously when beaten a half head in the G1 Silver Chief at The Meadows in December. With speed like he displayed last night, more group wins await. Now let us get down to the task of finding winners for our followers, we will only focus on the five group races and the two listed races at Wentworth Park.
Wentworth Park Race 1 No 2 Zipping Novak $1.85 at PlayUp – Slashing wins recorded in both his heat and semi-final of this event, recording good times on both occasions. Semi win, after copping heavy check at box rise, was exceptional. Looks a star of the future. Selections: 2-6-8-1.
Wentworth Park Race 3 No 1 Castle Warrior $1.55 at PlayUp – Recent winner of the G2 Bulli Cup and now finds himself contesting a Grade 5 final. Grading certainty. Super impressive in his heat and will be improved by the run. Best bet of the night. Selections: 1-6-8-2.
Wentworth Park Race 4 No 4 Zipping Pearson $5.00 at PlayUp – Very open affair, hard race to assess. Zipping Pearson loves racing at this track and distance, a winner of seven races to date. Can make it eight tonight. Selections: 4-5-1-6.
Wentworth Park Race 5 No 8 French Martini $4.00 at PlayUp – Ripping winner of rich maiden series at Gosford, before hard fought win in her heat of this event. Will be greatly improved by her heat win, huge improvement expected. She is nicely drawn on box 8. Selections: 8-4-3-1.
Wentworth Park Race 6 No 6 Zipping Kyrgios $6.00 at PlayUp – One of NSW leading sprinters over the last 12 months, featuring in many group finals. Huge run in semi-final of the Egg last week, should have won. Will make amends tonight. Nice odds available. Selections: 6-1-3-5.
Wentworth Park Race 7 No 2 Super Estrella $4.80 at PlayUp – She has been outstanding in her four runs back from a spell, her heat win will have topped her off for this. Hard to see her not leading despite the quality of the field. She is a very tenacious chaser. Deserves a group one victory. Tonight, we believe, is her night. Selections: 2-1-5-4.
Wentworth Park Race 8 No 7 Good Odds Cash $8.50 at PlayUp – What a tough race this final is. No doubt She’s A Pearl (5) is clearly the best dog in the race. If you like her, don’t let us talk you out of backing her. But we do have concerns about the box and the speed around her. For that reason, we are going for value and selecting Good Odds Cash. Field smart, great chaser and consistent. Each way value. Selections: 7-5-1-8.
