Overflow Jill and Lukiali were almost certainly "victims" of Wentworth Park's unusually heavy track on November 7 and connections of both will be hoping for a dry, fast surface there on Saturday night.
After the track was harrowed earlier in the week, constant rain just before the first race resulted in just one winner, Zipping Quincy, breaking 30sec with his 29.96 performance on November 7.
Yet 48 hours later, six winners got under 30sec with figures like 29.64, 29.68, 29.73 and 29.75 recorded.
Overflow Jill has box four in Saturday night's Vale John Tracey Stakes, and trainer Craig Chappelow is upbeat about her chances, especially as she drops from top grade on November 7 to fifth class this week.
An unexpected error occurred.
"She jumped well on November 7 and ran fast sections including a 5.40 first split but she got tired on the soft track and finished fifth, beaten a bit over two lengths,'' Chappelow said.
"I had been hoping for a fast surface because Overflow Jill was coming back from a brief let-up so when the going was heavy it made things so much harder for her.''
Lukiali was having his first WP 720m test on November 7 for trainer Mick Hardman when he set up a big early lead before being run down by the seasoned stayer Siska Lucy and beaten just over a length.
"On a normal dry track Lukiali probably wins but it is what it is and I understand we need to work on tracks to minimise injuries,'' Hardman said.
"Naturally I'm hoping for a good surface for Lukiali in this Saturday's The Lids Fly On Ladbrokes Live Stakes.
"He had box eight last week and has the same draw again but I don't care what box he has so long as he leads again.
"However I would be more confident if he was not drawn outside Siska Roy, who has seven.
"If Lukiali had seven and Siska Roy had box eight I would be a lot happier because Siska Roy could worry my dog in the early stages.''
Hardman's up-and-coming sprinter Zipping Cruise has been runner-up from box seven in his past two WP races but the trainer is pleased with the dog's rails draw in Saturday's 520m Equalizer @ Stud Stakes.
An unexpected error occurred.
Zipping Cruise led when second to Omega Jacob at WP on October 31 and was a certainty beaten when second to Chief Lightning there last Saturday.
Zipping Cruise began only fairly last week but after showing great pace to the first turn was badly checked when another greyhound veered off the track.
Hardman said: "Zipping Cruise broke in good, has always shown a lot of ability and I think he only needs to step away cleanly to go close to winning this week.
"Although he has not previously drawn box one he is unbeaten in three starts from box two.''
Craig Chappelow's group one winner Embrace is on the verge of retirement but has drawn what her trainer describes as "her favourite box" in Saturday's Ladbrokes Sports Bar Masters Stakes.
Embrace has had seven wins and four placings in 15 appearances wearing the black rug but Chappelow concedes her task on Saturday will be tough.
Embrace will line up for start number 93 on Saturday night
"She has a good dog in Deadly Class drawn on her outside and then there is Father Rick in box five,'' Chappelow said.
"Embrace has not raced for a month and will go in fresh but that suits her, she races best that way.''
Best bet on Saturday should be Brooklyn Brute, who has box two in the 520m NSW GBOTA Welcome Stakes.
Brooklyn Brute struck trouble at the half-way mark when third and second, both from box eight, at WP on November 2 and again last Saturday.
Because he lacks early speed and is a good railer Brooklyn Brute is not suited when drawn wide and should only need a reasonably clear run on the back straight to win notch his fourth WP win on Saturday night.
