Tiggerlong Amy was desperately unlucky when third from box four at Wentworth Park last Saturday and the move to box one in this week's Ladbroke It! Stakes, a 520m fifth grade, should put her back into the winner's circle.
The Margaret Keys-trained Tiggerlong Amy was beaten two-and-a-half lengths into third place behind Charlm Outlaw and Leg Speed last week after stumbling at the start and being checked at the first turn.
Kevin Keys, the trainer's husband, said: "I thought she was a good thing beaten last week.
"Although it was a strong field she had trialled very well at Wentworth Park in the lead-up to the race, clocking 24.17 in a post-to-post slip and running home in 11.51.
"Only thing against her on Saturday is that even though she led all the way to win at Wagga on November 3 and 10 she has lot a fraction of the early zip she once possessed.''
The Keys family also has a high opinion of Tiggerlong Amy's litter sister Tiggerlong Ruby, who finished second at her Wentworth Park debut last Saturday.
Tiggerlong Ruby has box seven, the draw she had last week, in Saturday night's Team Austral Christmas Party Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
Last Saturday Tiggerlong Ruby was sensationally backed from $6 to $2.90 favouritism but after being slowly away and fourth approaching the home bend, she went under by just over a length in 30.02.
"I'm not surprised she was well supported because someone obviously got onto her fast post-to-post slip trial at Wenty,'' Kevin Keys said.
"Tiggerlong Ruby went even quicker than Tiggerlong Amy, recording a flying 24.01 and getting home in 11.50.
"But unlike her sister, who is a fairly reliable beginner, Tiggerlong Ruby never comes out smartly.''
Ken Burnett, whose partner Amanda Brunton trains El Chorro, admits he has been a "heartbreak" dog but gives him a great chance in Saturday night's The Buttigieg Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
Last Friday night at Wentworth Park El Chorro had box one but ran off and collided on the first turn and finished fourth to Zipping Teresa in 30.08.
"He has box eight this week and that will suit him perfectly,'' Ken Burnett said.
"He does get wide but we studied last week's replay he appeared to get clipped from behind at the first turn which is why he veered off so badly.
"El Chorro can certainly run, he showed that when he won in 29.31 over 515m at Gosford on November 28, but he is a funny dog and has broken our hearts a few times.
"He has been jumping well lately and if hits the ground running on Saturday he can be expected to run fast time so look out!''
El Chorro boasts an exemplary record from wide draws, winning at each of his assignments from boxes six and seven and snaring a win and a placing in two races from box eight.''
Saturday night's Wentworth Park card features three heats of the Group 3 Christmas Gift,with an outstanding field lining up in the first qualifier.
Zipping Caleb has box one while the in-form Eyes To Eyes will exit box two with Nangar Larry in three and Embrace in four.
Zipping Caleb's draw gives him a decided edge as Eyes To Eyes tends to run in the middle of the track.
The Minnie Finn-trained Zipping Caleb clocked a blistering 29.56 from box two at Wentworth Park on September 30 and although beaten three lengths by Eyes To Eyes when they met at Wenty on November 25 he had no luck that night.
After a slow start Zipping Caleb was hampered at the first turn and came from a distant fourth on the back straight to finish second.
My Hepburn's brilliant early pace should help her lead all the way from box four in heat two while One Hot Bandit, who was a remarkable second behind Eyes To Eyes at Wentworth Park last Saturday, should take out three from the same draw.
My Hepburn posted blistering splits of 5.32 and 13.66 before clocking her personal best Wentworth Park time of 29.82 last week while One Hot Bandit came from last at the first turn to beat all but Eyes To Eyes at the same meeting.
