Cumbria Kid is not eligible for Saturday's Wentworth Park Masters race but that should not stop Steve Fitch's marvellous old campaigner increasing his earnings of $247,885 on Thursday night at headquarters.
Cumbria Kid has drawn ideally in box one in the 520m Ladbrokes Own Spring Stakes, for first to fourth graders.
"Saturday's veterans' race is for second and third grade Masters greyhounds so I had to put Cumbria Kid in against all comers on Thursday,'' trainer Steve Fitch said.
Cumbria Kid
"But he was beaten less than a length when third to Rebel Ethics and Lady Divine in a Masters race last Saturday after drawing box six.
"I thought he was 'gone' on the back straight but he rattled home and clocked 29.81 getting beaten.
"Box one is perfect on Thursday because Cumbria Kid will hold the rail and hopefully find himself in a close enough spot at the halfway mark to come on and win.''
Last October Cumbria Kid ran the race of his life at Wentworth Park in the 2023 Million Dollar Chase final, finishing second, beaten a half-length, by Queensland star Jay Is Jay in 29.79.
So his time last Saturday indicates that despite turning four in March, Steve Fitch's dog is going as well as ever.
Golden Phase missed a place in a regional final of the 2024 Million Dollar Chase when fifth to Nad Al Sheba at Maitland on Monday but pulled up well and could return to the winning list in Thursday's 520m Ladbrokes Communities Stakes, for fifth-grade bitches.
At her most recent Wentworth Park appearance Golden Phase led throughout from box four and won by eight lengths in 29.54, her personal best Wenty figures.
"That run on August 17 was terrific because Golden Phase and another dog bumped as soon as the lids lifted,'' trainer Troy Halligan said.
"I don't usually back my dogs up after 72 hours but she was jumping out of her skin on Tuesday morning and because she had been unplaced the night before, I realised she would be eligible for Thursday night's fifth grade for bitches.
"Her unplaced run at Maitland can be forgotten because Golden Phase got jammed up early and was never in the hunt.
"Box four on Thursday isn't a problem, in fact, I like her drawn there.
"Golden Phase has had box four on four occasions for three wins and a placing so because she runs straight being drawn in the middle actually suits her.''
Trainer Mick Hardman was pleasantly surprised by Major McGraw's second at his first Wentworth Park start last Saturday and gives the dog a good chance in Thursday night's Ladbrokes Racing Club Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
Before his Wentworth Park debut Major McGraw had registered two wins and two seconds from six races at the provincials and his only Wenty trial had been in a short hand-slip.
"I thought this run last Saturday was terrific because in running it looked like he was going to finish no better than fourth, but he came on strongly to get second,'' Hardman said.
"Major McGraw is one of those dogs who never trials brilliantly on his own, he is a real race dog and I think if he is unimpeded he is capable of going around 29.90 on Thursday.''
Hardman's other starter on Thursday, Lukiali, has box four in the 520m fifth-grade Sponsor A Race At Wenty Stakes.
Lukiali was a fast finishing third, beaten a length, in Omega Jacob's 29.77 race at his Wentworth Park debut last Saturday and should be suited by Thursday's small field.
"He can certainly run because he trialed 29.60 at Wentworth Park before last week's race,'' Hardman said.
"But the way he performed last Saturday suggests he is going to be better suited over longer than 520m.''
Thursday's best bet should be Blazin' Fire, who has box four in the Ladbrokes Sports Bar Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
Blazin' Fire was most impressive in coming from second early to score a 10 lengths win in a slick 29.86 at Wentworth Park last Thursday and this week's event does not look too much tougher.
Bandit Chloe was tested beyond a sprint course for the first time over 515m at Ladbrokes Gardens on Saturday and led all the way, scoring by six lengths in a sizzling 29.26.
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