NOT since Zipping Orlando reeled off eight straight wins at the beginning of his career between July and September has a newcomer generated as much excitement from Wenty fans as Mister Perfect.
Mister Perfect on November 2
Now the sport's latest sensation is on target to make a winning return at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night.
The Michaelle Sultana-trained Mister Perfect has box one in race three, a 520m fifth grade, and is likely to start the shortest priced favourite of 2022.
Zipping Orlando was sent out as a $1.12 chance when he won from box one at Wentworth Park on August 24 but Mister Perfect could be at an even tighter quote after not only drawing the rails, but having the luxury of speedy wide runners Despicable Knows in box two and Flying Tiny Tim in four.
Mister Perfect resumed from a long spell to overcome a slow start and win by 11 lengths in a slick 29.80 at his Wentworth Park debut, from box two, on November 2, before being a certainty beaten when second from box eight there on November 9.
Michelle Sultana, trainer of Mister Perfect said: "He seems to have a perfect draw in box one because Despicable Knows, in two, has early pace and gets a bit wide.
Even the dog's opposing trainers on Wednesday night are in awe of Mister Perfect, with Glen Goodwin, trainer of rival Velocity Dallas, commenting: "I think Mister Perfect is a 29.60 dog at Wenty so I guess I'll be chasing second prizemoney.''
But the Goodwin family gets their chance in the following race with Velocity Stevie, a litter sister to Velocity Dallas, looking to have strong claims in the fourth event, a 520m fifth grade.
Velocity Stevie, trained by Goodwin's wife Robyn, chased home Zipping Sterling and the unlucky Mister Perfect at her Wentworth Park debut on November 9, after being second to the back straight.
"That first run at Wentworth Park was a good effort and she looks drawn nicely in box three on Wednesday,'' Glen Goodwin said.
"Velocity Stevie does not turn two until next month so is still learning but we are pleased with how she is progressing.
"We took her to Dapto last Friday and gave her a 400m trial and she went tremendous.''
Velocity Stevie's litter sister and kennelmate Velocity Stella also looks hard to toss in race five, a 520m fifth grade, as her personal best Wentworth Park figures of 30.19 are clearly the quickest in the field.
Velocity Stella, who has drawn four, should relish having a vacant box on her right following her defeat of subsequent Wentworth Park winner Cooper's Hawk when she scored at headquarters on October 19.
Wednesday night's sole 720m race, the Happy Birthday Donny Stakes, is a fourth and fifth grade event featuring a trio of Wentworth Park long distance winners, Silver Luck, Zipping Patch and Zipping Neutron, along with up and coming staying prospects French Vanilla and Palawa King.
"Before that race I wasn't sure if he could see out a strong 720m but he got to the line so well I'd say the distance isn't going to be a problem for him,'' Smith said.
"Palawa King just needs to find a bit of galloping space on Wednesday night because I like the way he rushes forward in his races.
"But if he doesn't get room to move he tends to run into the back of the other dogs.''
Sentimental favourite on Wednesday is likely to be My Lucy Rose, who has box seven in the opening event, the 520m NSW GBOTA Welcome Maiden.
My Lucy Rose led throughout from box five to win a similar maiden in a handy 30.16 last Wednesday at Wentworth Park only to have the event declared "no race" due to the greyhounds being in the boxes an irregular 37 seconds before the lids lifted.
%20Bates.png?height=304&resize=fill&width=540)
