Mortified To Break Wentworth Park Drought

Mortified hasn't won at Wentworth Park since October but trainer Chris O'Brien is banking on her box one draw in Saturday night's Simply Limelight At Stud Free-For-All ending the drought.

Mortified, who has won 12 of 29 Wentworth Park starts, will wear the red rug and will be out to enhance her marvelous box one record of six wins and two placings from nine appearances.

"She just hasn't been beginning,'' O'Brien said.

"I'm not worried about her finishing down the course in her Bulli Cup heat last Sunday because that track is not her go.

"I had to give her a crack at a big race like that but she is far better suited on a two turn course like Wentworth Park than a one turn circuit like Bulli.

"Let's not forget Mortified turns four in October so she is not getting any younger but I'm hopeful box one will make the difference this week.

"I also have Quantifiable in box eight in the Free-For-All and she has won eight from 13 at Wentworth Park but her best time of 29.64 can't compete with Mortified's fastest of 29.37.''

Former West Australian Leg Press, a brilliant winner at each of two NSW outings over 350m at Goulburn, makes her Wentworth Park debut in Saturday's Ladbrokes Odds Surge Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.

Leg Press is stepping up to 520m but trainer Angela Della Bosca is not unduly concerned about the increased distance.

"Leg Press has won four races over 520m at Cannington in Perth so I don't think the 520m at Wenty will worry her,'' Della Bosca said.

"But she has box seven and I would have preferred her drawn nearer the rails, especially as she has not seen Wenty before.

"I'm hoping Fascinate Trump, who has box five and is a good beginner and railer, might give Leg Press a cart across in the run to the first turn.

"Since her last 350m win at Goulburn on February 2 I have given her a 440m trial there and she went well.''

Trainer Andy Lord has three of the seven runners opposing Mortified in Saturday's Free-For-All, with Canya Smoke Them in box twp, Screaming Jet in three and Mr Yellowstone in six.

"I lean to Screaming Jet as the pick of my trio,'' Lord said.

Lord also Omega Texas (box four) and Black Misery (box five) in Saturday's www.gbota.co.au Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.

"Omega Texas lacks early pace and wants the rails while Black Mistery has been showing good early speed so I think he will be hard to beat,'' Lord said.

Lord could have a big night as he has high hopes for Omega Jacob (box one in the Ladbroke It! Stakes) and Big Red Bandit, who has box five in the Ladbrokes Sports Bar Stakes.

"Omega Jacob is a new addition to my kennels but he has won three from five in Victoria and is a last start winner for me at Dapto from box six,'' Lord said.

"He is going good and is well boxed.

"Big Red Bandit is just back from a spell but is going really well and I like this dog because he is such a keen chaser.''

Best Bet Mortified (race 7)

Best Value Black Mistery (race 10)

Race 5 - 3, 5

Race 6 - 8, 1, 2

Race 7 - 1, 3, 4

Race 8 - 8, 7, 5

$20 for 37.03%