Four Five To Add To His Winning Tally

Four Five has never qualified for a big race but the burly 37kg dog has still managed to earn $120,000 and looks poised to add another $4000 to his tally by winning Wednesday night's third grade Masters event at Wentworth Park.

Trained by Alan Proctor, Four Five is a marvellous old warrior who has contested 119 races at Wenty for eight wins and 53 placings.

Proctor, who enjoyed Group One glory with another durable greyhound Bessy Boo, a winner of 44 races, is rapt in Four Five, who turns five in January.

"He is just a beautiful animal in every respect,'' Proctor said.

"Wednesday's race does look ideal for him because he has box one, is going well, and all things being equal he should be winning.

"Four Five doesn't have early speed but if he gets a clear run going through the catching pen and on the back straight he will be running home strongly.

"When he finished second in a harder Masters race at Wentworth Park on August 19 Four Five recorded 30.04 getting beaten, so he is going pretty well.''

Trainer Barry Gibbons is hoping for a dry, fast track when Big Frank Banner steps out in Wednesday night's Bulli To Wentworth Park fifth grade final over 520m.

Big Frank Banner showed his customary early brilliance to lead all the way in his 472m heat at Bulli on August 22, covering the distance in a fast 26.23.

At his only Wentworth Park outing on June 21 Big Frank Banner was sent out a hot favourite but after leading by six lengths at the half-way mark, faded in the straight and finished second, beaten just under a length in 30.28.

But he had reeled off outstanding early sectional times of 5.42 and 13.80 so should make the pace again this week.

"The jury is still out on whether he is going to run a solid 520m,'' trainer Barry Gibbons said.

"I slipped him at Wentworth Park recently and he only went ordinary but there is still hope for him as he doesn't turn two until November.

"When plenty of water is put on the track and the surface becomes a bit sticky he struggles at the end of 520m.''

Big Frank Banner's toughest rival is Sublime Ethics, whose 26.18 was fastest of the Bulli 472m heat wins on August 22.

Sublime Ethics has raced seven times at Wentworth Park for just one win and five placings, but is well drawn out wide in box seven on Wednesday night.

Another greyhound likely to be suited by a wide draw on Wednesday is Wentworth Park newcomer Carpenter's Arms, who has box eight in the Ladbrokes Same Race Multi Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.

Carpenter's Arms has won three of her past four starts over 515m at Ladbrokes Gardens, the latest in a fast 29.52 from box one on August 18.

Trainer Neville Broadbent said: "She uses a bit of the track so I reckon they have done me a favour putting her in box eight on Wednesday.

"When she was still a maiden I gave Carpenter's Arms a long post-to-post slip at Wentworth Park and she went well, clocking 24.27.''

Broadbent won at Wentworth Park in February in 30.06 with Frog Stomp, a litter brother to Carpenter's Arms, and said: "At the time I told the owners I thought she might be better than her brother.

"Travelling is the only worry with Carpenter's Arms because she hates getting into a car, although once she arrives at the track she settles well in the kennels.''

Wednesday's best bet should be Check The Radar, who has box two in the 520m Ladbroke It! Stakes fifth grade.

Check The Radar was not suited by box seven when third at Wentworth Park last Wednesday night but had exited box one for a 14 lengths win in a fast 29.88 a week earlier.

Best Bet Check The Radar (race 2)

Best Value Four Five (race 9)

Race 5 - 1, 6, 8

Race 6 - 4, 3, 8

Race 7 - 2, 8

Race 8 - 2, 1, 4