A week ago Kisses For Gran had not even seen Wentworth Park but on Saturday night she earned a crack at the March 29 heats of the Group one Ladbrokes Golden Easter Egg with a sensational 520m fifth grade win in 29.22.
Kisses For Gran led throughout from box two and won by over 10 lengths after posting brilliant early splits of 5.39 and 13.52 before a remarkable 17.54 third section and a run home of 11.67.
After winning nine of 20 races at the provincials, Kisses For Gran made her Wentworth Park debut for trainer Jason Mackay on March 1 and was a distant second to Stan's Dream in 29.79.
On Saturday night trainer Mackay said: "I threw her to the wolves last week because she had not seen the track.
"Circumstances prevented me trialling her there and I expected her to improve a lot because I know how good she is.
"Dogs nearly always improve with two or three races at Wentworth Park and I thought she could get down to 29.50 tonight but 29.22, wow that surprised me.
"And those second and third sections of 13.52 and 17.54, they don't go much faster than that do they?
"I will nominate her for Wentworth Park again next Saturday and then put her in the heats of the Golden Easter Egg on March 29.''
Going even faster on Saturday night was the Tony Mason-trained Honk Honk, who led all the way to take out a 520m fifth grade final by over six lengths in 29.19.
Honk Honk has now won seven of 13 starts and has confirmed early favouritism for next Saturday night's heats of the Simply Limelight New Sensation at Wentworth Park.
While her early splits were not as slick as those posted by Kisses For Gran, Honk Honk's run home was a scintillating 11.49.
Owner-trainer Charlie Gatt's win with Angelo on Saturday night was a repayment from the dog's breeder Joe Baldacchino for a gift Gatt had made to him over 30 years ago.
More than three decades ago Gatt presented Baldacchino with a puppy which, racing as Friendly Native, took out the 1993 Young Star Classic final at Wentworth Park.
So in early 2022 Baldacchino gifted a red brindle dog puppy produced by his bitch Mascot Miss, and racing as Angelo, that youngster notched his 16th win, and his second at Wentworth Park, in 29.82 on Saturday night.
Trainer John Callaughan credited being in Saturday night's opening race as contributing to the all-the-way win of his dog Bradshaw, who beat his litter sister and kennelmate Pink Panama in 29.87.
"Bradshaw is a bad kennel dog so the earlier he races usually the better he goes,'' Callaughan said.
"His box manners have improved, especially at Wentworth Park, and because he is so strong at the end of 520m I knew he was going to win once he led clearly down the back straight.''
Owner Mick Vella's successful relationship with Cowra breeder Paul Braddon continued at Wentworth Park on Saturday night when Ferrero Girl led throughout to win easily in 29.95.
Vella bought Ferrero Girl from Braddon for $15,000 late last year and on Saturday night she took her tally for her new owner and trainer Preston Rowles to two wins and three placings from six Wentworth Park appearances.
After the race Vella said: "I bought Ferrero Girl's older half brother Black Wizard from Paul Braddon a couple of years back and he won seven races for me including a couple at Wenty.
"I've had a great relationship with Paul as far as buying dogs go, I've found him to be a straight shooter who is good to deal with and he sells dogs for realistic prices.''
Up-and-coming 21-year-old trainer Jay Opetaia's exciting prospect Vista Yttrium led from the first turn to win a 520m fifth grade on Saturday but six lengths in a flying 29.46.
Unfortunately, Vista Yttrium is a month too old to be eligible for next Saturday's heats of the Simply Limelight New Sensation at Wentworth Park.
