Wentworth Park's new 520m track record holder Dalwhinnie faces his big test on Saturday night when he exits an unsuitable box eight draw in the Ladbrokes Blackbook Maiden Final.
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Dalwhinnie had box two when he took an early lead before winning his heat by over 13 lengths in a previously unmatched 29.03sec.
But when he drew box eight in the Million Dollar Chase Maiden at Wentworth Park on October 18, Dalwhinnie took a tumble at the first turn.
Trainer Bill Butler though is confident Dalwhinnie can win again on Saturday.
"When the draw came out I was not impressed because I was naturally hoping he would draw near the rails,'' Butler said.
"But when I studied the draw I realised it could have been a lot worse.
"I didn't want him to be boxed inside a fast beginner who would crash towards the rails when the boxes opened.
"And in any case, Dalwhinnie is going to have to step up and learn to become a real top notcher, he is going to have to be able to cope with any box.
"Since his record heat win on October 24 Dalwhinnie has not had a trial.
"I have just been slipping him up the straight track but he is jumping out of his skin and is ready to go on Saturday night.''
Dalwhinnie after breaking the Wentworth Park track record
The Chris O'Brien-trained Bamboozle, who led all the way to win her heat from box five in 29.92, could give Dalwhinnie a "cart" across to the inside fence.
Bamboozle has shown great early pace in each of her three starts and railed keenly in her heat win.
Cunningham, who was a fading fourth in the roughly-run Million Dollar Chase Maiden final at Wentworth Park on October 18, should make amends after drawing box one in Saturday's NSW GBOTA Welcome Stakes, a 520m fifth grade.
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Cunningham led most of the way from box three to win his MDC Maiden heat in a slick 29.72 on October 18 before finishing 13 lengths from the winner, Shaula, in the 29.33 final.
Trainer Ken Burnett said: "I was not disappointed with Cunningham's fourth in that final because he was caught up in the middle of that scrimmage at the first turn.
"During the melee another dog's nail must have caught Cunningham's foot because he finished the race with a pierced webbing.
"He would have been feeling that in the run home but it is fully healed now.
"Box one at Wentworth Park can be a bit tricky but after looking at this field, I believe Cunningham can hold his position going into the first turn.''
Cunningham
David Smith could train a winning double on Saturday night with a pair of Wentworth Park newcomers.
Cool Story, who clocked a flying 26.20 winning over 472m at Bulli on October 22, has box four in the Ladbrokes Own Spring Stakes, a 520m fifth grade, while Aussie Ethics has drawn two in the Ladbrokes Sports Bar Stakes, another 520m fifth grade.
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Aussie Ethics has won four of nine starts on provincial tracks and recorded a handy 22.54 winning over 400m at Bulli on October 1.
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"Aussie Ethics has had a look at Wenty, trialling 30.20,'' David Smith said.
"And Cool Story has also seen the track, having had a box-to-box trial there.''
Most interesting fifth grade on Saturday is the 520m Ladbrokes Racing Club Stakes, where Common Speed (box six), Woogoolga Gal (seven) and Sovereign State (eight) clash.
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Sovereign State had box seven when he led most of the way to win in a slick 29.77 at Wentworth Park on October 24, while Woolgoolga Gal has won 10 of 18 races at the provincials.
But the dog to beat could be former WA greyhound Common Speed, now in the Hunter Valley kennels of Jason Mackay.
Common Speed came from second early to win a 515m fifth grade at Ladbrokes Gardens on October 26 by eight lengths in a scorching 29.20, just .24sec outside the track record set by French Martini over two years ago.
