Dalwhinnie was the unlucky runner in the recent Million Dollar Chase Maiden series but gets his chance to open his account after drawing nicely in box two at Wentworth Park on Thursday night.
Trained by Bill Butler at Goulburn for Sunshine Coast owner Terry Hines, Dalwhinnie will contest the 520m Ladbrokes Blackbook Maiden Stakes.
An unexpected error occurred.
At his first start, in a MDC Maiden heat at Wentworth Park on October 10, Dalwhinnie led early from box six before being headed off on the first turn by boom puppy Jungle Johnny.
Dalwhinnie set off after Jungle Johnny but was blocked for a run when attempting to rails underneath that dog leaving the back straight, and finished second, beaten in a tight finish.
In last Sunday night's MDC Maiden final, the keen railing Dalwhinnie drew terribly in box eight and took a tumble on the first corner.
Trainer Bill Butler said: "He didn't get hurt at all in Friday's fall but I am naturally concerned about whether it could affect him mentally.
"I've taken advice from some very experienced trainers and they reckon it's important to get Dalwhinnie back to Wenty as soon as possible so he can forget the incident.
"Terry Hines bought him from his breeder David Brasch when he was two months old but because I had no pups the same age to rear him with, he had to grow up in a backyard with an old brood bitch for company.
"Then, when he was being transported back to my place after being educated in Brisbane, the van bringing him broke down and he took two days to get to me.
"As a result, we nicknamed him Hitch, short for hitch-hiker.
"Terry Hines has raced some outstanding dogs over the years, including Whisky Assassin, who was trained by Jason Thompson and broke four track records, winning the Sandown Shootout in course record time.
"He named Dalwhinnie after a famous whisky distillery in Scotland, and if the dog had won the MDC Maiden Terry had instructed me to put $1,000 worth of single malt scotch on the bar for the public.''
Vonnie's Power has strung together a frustrating six seconds from her past six starts but trainer Mark Gatt concedes she gets her chance to overcome the "bridesmaid" tag when she exits box one in Thursday's GBOTA Welcome Maiden.
"She is perfectly boxed but is full of mistakes, she always seems to be getting hampered,'' Gatt said.
An unexpected error occurred.
"At her last start, at Dapto on October 17, Vonnie's Power had no luck when second from box five, after she was checked trying to reach the rails at the first turn.
"Vonnie's Power can clock 29.80 for the 520m at Wentworth Park and if she repeats those figures on Thursday she should be winning.
"I hope so, I don't want her to just become a leader chaser.''
Gatt also has bright prospects in The Lids Fly On Ladbrokes Live Stakes, a 520m fifth grade, where he will be represented by the promising Ritza Duane, in box one.
An unexpected error occurred.
On debut at Wentworth Park Ritza Duane missed the jump and then got wide on the first turn before finishing fourth to Jungle Johnny.
He was an impressive winner from box three at Dapto at his only subsequent start, and Mark Gatt said: "Ritza Duane is a pretty smart greyhound.
"But he will need to do everything right because he is up against Jungle Johnny again, and I have a big opinion of him.
"Ritza Duane has box one and because he uses a bit of the track I would have preferred him drawn in the middle of the course.
"But looking at the form I think the dogs drawn in boxes two and three might give him plenty of room in the early stages.''
West Rock Casey, a 21 month old youngster, is the only dual Wentworth Park winner in Thursday's Equalizer @ Stud 520m fifth grade and he has drawn ideally in box eight.
An unexpected error occurred.
On August 29 West Rock Casey jumped from box eight and shrugged off a first turn bump to come from second on the back straight for a slick 29.94 win.
Earlier this month the Caroline Hughes-trained dog clocked 29.85 from box five at Wentworth Park and only two of his rivals on Thursday are Wentworth Park winners.
